New Delhi: Fours states ruled by the Congress and its allies Sunday accused the Centre of hijacking vaccine stocks from manufacturers, and expressed doubts they would be able to launch the inoculation drive to cover those between 18-45 years of age from May 1.
They also accused the Centre of meting out “step-motherly” treatment to them, and urged the Union government to provide them free vaccine doses to vaccinate all adults.
Addressing a virtual joint press conference, the health ministers of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jharkhand (ruled by Congress-JMM alliance) asked as to how they will vaccinate all adults when the Centre has already “taken away the stocks” and shots are not available to them.
They said they are prepared for the next phase of vaccination drive from May 1, but the manufacturers have expressed inability to provide them vaccine shots.
“How do we vaccinate adults of 18-45 years as Serum Institute has said they will not be able to provide vaccine till May 15,” Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said.
“We have the capacity, but not the vaccine, “he said. “States should get the supplies. The Government of India should provide vaccine as per their requirements.”
The success of the drive depends on availability of shots, he said.
Sharma said, “Our demand is that the Centre fully fund the vaccine. How can we fund it from our budget? No provision has been made by us in the budget.”
Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo said, “There is no way shots can be administered if the vaccine is not available. How will we provide vaccination? We are ready to vaccinate, provided we have the vaccines.”
He also alleged politics is being played on vaccination the way prime minister”s photo is put on the certificate of vaccination.
