The state government took a big decision to limit the vaccination drive due to the shortage of the Covid-19 vaccine in West Bengal. To meet the growing demand for the second dose, the government continues to cut on administering the first dose. The state government has directed all district and state-run government hospitals to reserve at least 50% of the available vaccine for the second dose.
Severe shortage of Covid-19 vaccine in West Bengal
A senior health department official said, "Due to the acute shortage of vaccine, the second dose will be administered on priority until we are provided with sufficient quantity of vaccine. We are now left with only 6 lakh doses." Government data has revealed that till June 29, at least 6,70,000 people were due for the second dose of Covishield, while 1,60,000 people were due for the second dose of Covaxin. The remaining number for the second dose is about 3,79,000.
Decision to cut down on first dose
The first dose for Kolkata Municipal Corporation will not be administered for the next two days, the official said. He added that by the end of July, about 6 lakh people in Kolkata alone will be left for the second dose. The districts have also been asked to identify people with the pending second doses. The due date for the second dose for Covishield is 12-16 weeks and for Covaccine it is 4-6 weeks after the first dose. So far, the government has got 2,17,00,000 people vaccinated, out of which 1,67,00,000 people were about to get the first dose. Only 49,80,000 people have got the second dose. Kolkata administered the maximum number of vaccines, which means that around 25,80,000 people in the state were given the first dose while 6,30,000 people were inoculated with the second dose.