Vaccine shortage: Karnataka govt decides to import, says Chief Secretary

Bengaluru: As the shortage of vaccine dosages hit the state and the demand went up substantially with an alarming rise in COVID cases, the Karnataka government has decided to import vaccines.

Addressing presspersons Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar said, “We have to purchase vaccines for people between 18-44 years age group. We have already paid money to the two vaccine manufacturers in the country for three crore doses. Out of three crore doses, we have received seven lakh.”

He said the government will administer vaccines as and when the stocks arrive.

“Since we are not getting adequate vaccines because there are just two manufacturers, we are going to issue orders to import (vaccine),” Ravi Kumar said.

He added that the Government of India has approved only one vaccine outside India. If permission to other vaccines is given then one can order more vaccines.