The state has moved to phase one of unlock, but vaccination – the vital prevention tool against Covid-19 – came to a grinding halt in several districts on Tuesday, with 39 of 45 health units reporting zero stock.
It may take a few more days for the state to get back to vaccinating more than 2 lakh people daily as it is likely to get less than 30% of the promised 42 lakh doses in June.
Of this, Tamil Nadu received 4.25 lakh doses, some a residue from the previous month.
On Wednesday, the state will receive 63,370 doses of Covaxin and on Thursday, the state is expecting another 40,000 doses.
On Friday, Pune-based Serum Institute of India is expected to send 3.6lakh doses of Covishield.
“We are hoping some of these consignments may be combined and ahead of schedule.
When we receive vaccines in small batches it is likely to hamper distribution and delay vaccines,” said joint director (immunisation) Dr K Vinay Kumar.
On Tuesday, the vaccination drive began with 23,100 doses 16,740 in Chennai and 5,750 in Coimbatore followed by Cuddalore (420), Salem (80) Erode (60) and Tuticorin (50).
By 6pm, after vaccinating 14,928 people, most stocks were emptied out even in these districts.
“Many people did not turn up for vaccination as they knew there was a shortage,” said Greater Chennai Corporation staff nurse Vanaja.
The immunisation wing has told district health officials they may not be able to resume vaccination drives until adequate stocks arrive.
So far, 1.01 crore doses both under the state and central quota have been received and 97.5 lakh doses administered until Tuesday.
Three lakh doses have been wasted since January 2021.
“There is no vaccine hesitancy now.
More people want to get vaccinated, but we don’t have adequate stock,” health minister Ma Subramanian said.
The state’s hope of getting Covid-19 vaccine through a global tender came as a cropper as there were no bidders.
Plans to call for fresh bids were scrapped on Monday evening after the Centre said it will procure vaccines for all adults.
Epidemiologists and public health experts say that although cases in the second wave have been falling rapidly in almost all the districts, it is important for the state to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent subsequent outbreaks.
“Vaccinating as many people as possible between the waves is the best way to prevent outbreaks.
Many countries have vaccinated most of their population at good speed and are reaping the benefits,” said senior epidemiologist Dr Jayprakash Muliyil, who is a member of the state task force.
The state has moved to phase one of unlock, but vaccination – the vital prevention tool against Covid-19 – came to a grinding halt in several districts on Tuesday, with 39 of 45 health units reporting zero stock.
It may take a few more days for the state to get back to vaccinating more than 2 lakh people daily as it is likely to get less than 30% of the promised 42 lakh doses in June.
Of this, Tamil Nadu received 4.25 lakh doses, some a residue from the previous month.
On Wednesday, the state will receive 63,370 doses of Covaxin and on Thursday, the state is expecting another 40,000 doses.
On Friday, Pune-based Serum Institute of India is expected to send 3.6lakh doses of Covishield.
“We are hoping some of these consignments may be combined and ahead of schedule.
When we receive vaccines in small batches it is likely to hamper distribution and delay vaccines,” said joint director (immunisation) Dr K Vinay Kumar.
On Tuesday, the vaccination drive began with 23,100 doses 16,740 in Chennai and 5,750 in Coimbatore followed by Cuddalore (420), Salem (80) Erode (60) and Tuticorin (50).
By 6pm, after vaccinating 14,928 people, most stocks were emptied out even in these districts.
“Many people did not turn up for vaccination as they knew there was a shortage,” said Greater Chennai Corporation staff nurse Vanaja.
The immunisation wing has told district health officials they may not be able to resume vaccination drives until adequate stocks arrive.
So far, 1.01 crore doses both under the state and central quota have been received and 97.5 lakh doses administered until Tuesday.
Three lakh doses have been wasted since January 2021.
“There is no vaccine hesitancy now.
More people want to get vaccinated, but we don’t have adequate stock,” health minister Ma Subramanian said.
The state’s hope of getting Covid-19 vaccine through a global tender came as a cropper as there were no bidders.
Plans to call for fresh bids were scrapped on Monday evening after the Centre said it will procure vaccines for all adults.
Epidemiologists and public health experts say that although cases in the second wave have been falling rapidly in almost all the districts, it is important for the state to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent subsequent outbreaks.
“Vaccinating as many people as possible between the waves is the best way to prevent outbreaks.
Many countries have vaccinated most of their population at good speed and are reaping the benefits,” said senior epidemiologist Dr Jayprakash Muliyil, who is a member of the state task force.