Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that the third phase of Coronavirus vaccination drive, which was scheduled to commence on May 1 for 18-plus population, would not start on time in Madhya Pradesh. CM Chouhan said there's a shortage of vaccine in the state as the manufacturers could not deliver enough vaccine doses in time. However, the ongoing vaccination of people in the above-45 category will continue, he added.
Earlier this month, the Union government had opened up registration process for the entire adult population for third phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive with 1.33 crore people applying on the Co-WIN portal on day 1.
"On contacting the manufacturers of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines we learnt that they are unable to give us doses for those above 18 years of age on May 1.
"So the drive covering the young people won't start on May 1," Chouhan said in a video message at night.
"Hopefully we will be getting vaccinedoses around May 3. After that we will give the final shape to the drive for the young people," he added.
"Keep patience and there is no need to panic," the chief minister added.
The state government has already placed orders with Covishield maker Serum Institute of India and Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech, he said.