'Can Vaccinate Entire Delhi In 3 Months If Centre Lifts Restrictions': CM Arvind Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief also appealed to the Centre to decentralise vaccination prices so that all states can carry out immunisation on war footing. He also appealed that COVID-19 vaccination timing should be extended till 9 p.m. from the current 5 p.m. in Delhi besides urging the ruling dispensation at the Centre to double the immunisation centres.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government to relax eligibility restrictions for coronavirus vaccination and make it available for all above 18 years of age. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief also appealed to the Centre to decentralise vaccination prices so that all states can carry out immunisation on war footing.

He also appealed that COVID-19 vaccination timing should be extended till 9 pm from the current 5 pm in Delhi, besides urging the ruling dispensation to double the immunisation centres.

Urging Centre to open Coronavirus vaccination for all instead of prescribing who were eligible to get it first, Kejriwal asserted that entire population of the national capital can be administered the COVID-19 vaccine in three months if the restrictions were lifted and enough supply of vaccine was ensured.

Kejriwal, who was speaking after a meeting to discuss the surge in coronavirus cases, further said the vaccination capacity in Delhi should be ramped up from about 40,000 per day to 1.25 lakh daily. The Chief Minister also appealed to all those eligible to get their coronavirus shots.

“I appeal to everyone, who is eligible, to get themselves vaccinated. 30,000 to 40,000 vaccines are being administered per day as of now,” he added.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid tests conducted across the country crossed 23 crore on Thursday.

According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, more than 20 lakh vaccine doses were administered on day-61 of the vaccination drive on Wednesday. Five states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, yet continue to report a surge in the coronavirus infection.