States & UTs Have Failed To Utilise Over 20.60 Crore Covid Vaccines: Health Ministry

On Saturday, 975 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours with 796 recoveries and 4 fatalities in the country.

As per the Ministry, over 192.27 crores (1,92,27,23,625) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far | Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Amid rising cases of Covid-19 in the national capital, ober 20.60 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and Union Territories, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday. 

As per the Ministry, over 192.27 crores (1,92,27,23,625) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and through the direct state procurement category.

More than 20.60 Crore (20,60,37,336) balance and unutilised Covid Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered, it added. 

The Ministry said that in the new phase of universalisation of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 percent of the vaccines produced by vaccine manufacturers in the country to state and Union Territories. 

On Saturday, 975 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours with 796 recoveries and 4 fatalities in the country. India’s infection tally rose to 4,30,40,947 while the active cases have risen to 11,366.

The national capital on Friday, reported 366 cases of Covid-19 while the positivity rate stood at 3.95 percent, according to data released by the city’s health department. 

While no casualties were reported, the Covid positivity rate drastically spiked from 0.5 percent to 3.95 percent in a week. 

Reports of infection from several schools in the national capital and adjoining regions had sparked concerns, weeks after they opened for offline classes after a two-year halt.