Vaccine shortage hitting the state, K'taka decides to import; suspends vaccine for 18-44 yrs group
Bengaluru, May 12: The Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to import vaccines, as shortage of dosages hit the state and the demand went up substantially with alarming rise in COVID cases.
The state government also decided to suspend the vaccination for people between 18-44 years age group, which had started symbolically on May 1, till further orders.
"Today the state government has decided that the vaccine procured directly by the state for vaccination of persons between 18 and 44 years will be utilised for vaccination of beneficiaries who are due for second dose," a notification issued by the government said.
"We have to purchase vaccines for people between the age group of 18-44 years. 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," Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar told reporters here.
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 for other vaccines are given, then one can order more vaccines.
With confusion prevailing in the state as people were asked to leave the vaccination centres at some places after standing in long queues for hours due to shortage, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa held a meeting with officials to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The Chief Minister gave a set of directions to the officials including resolving the confusion over vaccine availability, oxygen supply in districts and ICU beds, according to an official release.
"Priority should be given to those who are due to take the second dose," the statement read.
Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government has been making efforts to get vaccines.
"We are making every effort to ensure that the vaccine arrives even from the foreign country with the support from the Centre," Sudhakar told reporters at Chikkaballapura.
Bommai admitted that there was a glitch in the supply of the vaccine.
"There is some problem with the supply of vaccine but in the coming days the supply will start," Bommai told reporters here.
He asked people not to be apprehensive about the availability of vaccines as everyone will get the shot once it reaches the state.
"Earlier when thousands of outlets were set up and people were asked to get vaccinated, no one showed interest.
Now all the requests are pouring in," Bommai said.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders led by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress president D K Shivakumar staged a demonstration, alleging "poor handling" of COVID pandemic by the government and "inability" to supply vaccines.
For the information of general public
— K'taka Health Dept (@DHFWKA) May 12, 2021
The state government on 07.05.2021 decided to utilize the complete supply of vaccines provided by Govt. of India for vaccination of persons above 45+ years, for vaccinating beneficiaries who were due for second dose.
In this regard vaccination for 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointment) will be temporarily suspended from 14.05.2021 till further orders.
— K'taka Health Dept (@DHFWKA) May 12, 2021
This order will be applicable for COVID vaccination at all Government COVID vaccination centers in state.
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Russian First Deputy PM Manturov meets PM Modi; discusses trade, energy ties
New Delhi (PTI): Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in areas of investment, energy and industrial cooperation.
Manturov, on a two-day visit to India, also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The Russian embassy said Modi and Manturov discussed "specific steps to implement agreements reached" during the India-Russia summit held in December last.
"Particular attention was paid to further strengthening Russia-India trade, economic, investment, energy and industrial cooperation," it said on social media.
In their meeting, Doval and Manturov were learnt to have discussed bilateral defence cooperation besides the evolving regional security situation.
The Russian first deputy PM's visit to New Delhi comes days after India cleared procurement of a fresh batch of five S-400 missile systems from Russia.
The decision to procure the additional batch of five S-400 air defence missile systems was taken against the backdrop of the missile system proving its capability during Operation Sindoor.
The missile system played a crucial role in India's dominance over Pakistan during the May 7-10 hostilities last year.
In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
In the talks, the two sides are also expected to exchange views on the West Asia conflict and its impact on global economy, especially on the energy sector.
It is learnt that both sides also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken at the summit talks between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in last December.
Following talks between the two leaders, India and Russia unveiled a raft of measures including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership and to increase the annual trade to USD 100 billion by 2030.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week lauded India's "independent foreign policy" and said that Russia looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for a visit this year.
In an address at a conference titled 'India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda', he said the "time-tested" friendship between the two countries is a model on interstate relations based on mutual trust and respect.
