The health minister has made clear that the doses of both the vaccine, covisheild and covaxin would only be used for people above the age of 45.
Although vaccinations have opened for people above 18, this facility would not be available from the government hospitals. Hospitals like Manipal and Apollo are doing vaccination for people above the age of 18. However the slots are getting filled minutes after opening the booking facilities.
Health minister tweeted that 70% of the available vaccines would be utilized to vaccinate 45+ who are due for a second dose and rest 30% would be used for people above 45 requiring their first dose. He added that covaxin would be administered only to 45+ who are due after 6 weeks of 1st dose.
As per May 7, the government directed states to prioritize those due for their second dose. Vaccine doses provided through GOI channel would strictly be used to administer to people above 45. Additional secretary of Health asked people to utilise supplies of vaccine through the government of India channel in 70:30 ratio.
Telangana also made a similar announcement on May 7, prioritizing people requiring a second dose for vaccination. The government has decided to provide only a second dose for vaccines from May 8 to May 12. A statement by the Director of Public health stated that allocation of vaccine till May 15, and in order to optimally utilize the available doses special drive has been launched to cover people who are eligible for the 2nd dose.
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