'This Is Vaccination, Not Event Management': Delhi Health Minister On Allegations Of Slow-Paced Drive

Delhi is being accused of conducting the vaccination drive at a slow pace. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain responded to the allegations while talking to ABP News.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain

New Delhi: As a massive vaccination campaign process began on 21st June, the Delhi government is being accused of moving the immunisation drive at a slow pace.

Responding to such allegations, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain questioned such a record vaccination drive on one day and the dismal numbers the next day. He said that, unlike Madhya Pradesh, at least Delhi is not vaccinating millions in a day and then not being able to clock even a thousand the next day.

"We are vaccinating 75,000-80,000 people every day. In Madhya Pradesh, even a percentage of what they recorded on 21st June could not be achieved the next day," he told ABP News.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain To ABP News

Question- There are allegations that the pace of vaccination is slow in Delhi. What is the reason behind this and is it true?

Answer- Madhya Pradesh vaccinated millions in one day and wasn't able to vaccinate even a thousand people the next day. We aren't treating the vaccination drive as a show, photo op, or event. Vaccines are being administered to the people of Delhi on a regular basis. Everyone knows that there was a problem with vaccine availability and the vaccines that we have now will also get over in 10-12 days. We have to make arrangements for those who have to get the second dose, so the vaccine is being administered accordingly.

Question- The BJP and central government are alleging that there were about 8,50,000 doses for the 45+ age group and about 2,00,000-2,50,000 doses for the 18+ age group. But only a few thousand people were vaccinated in Delhi.

Answer- The vaccination is not just for one day. They are asking why people weren't vaccinated that day. Well, we employ 75,000-80,000 people daily. The number of vaccinations has steadily increased from the day before yesterday to today. In MP, they couldn't even achieve 1% of what they did the previous day. Is it better to vaccinate lots of people in a day or maintain a consistent number every day?

Question- Is the stock meant for the 45+ age group now being used for 18+? Have the age groups merged into one now?

Answer- The Centre has said they would be providing vaccines for everyone, so there's no categorization. Everyone above 18 years of age is now in one common group. Earlier, there was a separate 60+ category, 45+ category, and 18+ category. It then became two categories - 18+ and 45+. Today onwards, there will be a single category - 18+.

Question- Will the first dose of Covaxin be administered to the people of Delhi?

Answer- There is still some shortage of Covaxin, so the centers for that vaccine are lesser in number. Covishield availability is better, so there are more centers administering that vaccine.

Question- Will people be able to get their first dose of Covaxin in the month of July?

Answer- The time frame for the second dose of Covaxin is short (28 days). Those who have taken the first dose will have to get their second dose on time. The Central Government has extended the time between two Covishield doses, due to which people aren't coming for their second dose now. Only those who want the first dose are coming. After a few days, people will come to take the second jab, too.

Right now, there are about 50,00,000 people in Delhi who have got their first dose and 10,00,000-12,00,000 people who have got the second one. So, there are around 40,00,000 of them who will get the second dose, too.

Madhya Pradesh had vaccinated 3,12,000 people on 21st June and only 120 people yesterday. Haryana vaccinated 2,50,000 people yesterday and only 63,000 yesterday. They must have been preparing for this one-day event. Everyone was given the appointment on the same day. This was all just to prove that BJP led central government is taking lots of effort to battle coronavirus.

Question- Does it look like the hoarding was being done for a special event?

Answer- Yes, precisely.

Question- The 45+ stock will now be used for 18+ also, so is there any separate arrangement for this? Will more centers will be made available?

Answer- Now everything has become common, it has become one category. Anyone above 18 years of age is in one category. All centers will now be common.

Question- Can anyone go anywhere to get vaccinated, whether by appointment or even walk-in?

Answer- Even if you do not make an appointment, it will be done on a walk-in basis also.

(Excerpts from the Interview taken by Anjali Singh)