HomeNewsTrendsHealthCOVID-19 update | India has vaccine stock for 5.5 days: Report

COVID-19 update | India has vaccine stock for 5.5 days: Report

Data for states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, however, shows their current stocks won't even last two days, while Odisha's would run out in four days even with the new supplies that are coming in.

April 09, 2021 / 13:13 IST
Story continues below Advertisement

With many state governments complaining of the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, data collated from the health ministry shows that the states on average have more than five days of stocks remaining with them, Times of India has reported. An additional week’s supply of jabs is in the pipeline, it added.

Amid claims of shortage, the health ministry for the first time on April 8 released details of vaccine availability.

Story continues below Advertisement

The ministry said, "Total administered: 9 cr+. In stock/nearing delivery to states: 4.3 cr+. Where does question of shortages arise? We're continuously monitoring & enhancing supply".

However, data from some states paints a different story. Andhra Pradesh and Bihar's stocks won't last more than two days. Even with the supplies that are coming in, Odisha even will have barely enough vaccines for four days.
Also Read: India to review COVID-19 vaccines after blood clot warning: Report
According to the health ministry analysis, at April’s vaccination rate of almost 3.6 million doses a day, the stock of about 19.6 million doses will last about five and a half days. There an additional 24.5 million vaccines in the pipeline, which would be enough for another week, it said.

Also Read: COVID-19 Update | Over 125 vaccination centres shut in Maharashtra over vaccine shortage

Health ministry officials also said that the process of re-stocking the vaccine is going on, with shorts dispatched in cycles of four to eight days.
"It is based on daily discussions with all states on their usage and stock positions," officials said.

But a graphics compiled by the Times of India shows that Andhra Pradesh has just 1.4 lakh doses left—it has on average been giving 1.1 lakh doses a day since April 1. Bihar has 2.6 lakh doses remaining, against a daily average vaccination of 1.7 lakh.

Story continues below Advertisement

Maharashtra, which has recorded the highest number of vaccination with daily doses of 3.9 lakh, has 15 lakh doses in stock which will not be enough for four days.

Follow our LIVE blog for latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic

The graph shows that Tamil Nadu has stocks of nearly 17 lakh doses as the state's average vaccination level recorded last week has been a low 37,000.

Also Read: Shortage of COVID-19 vaccine: CMs seek PM Modi's attention, ask for extension of eligibility criteria of vaccination

India began the second phase of the vaccination drive from March 1 in which everyone above 60 and those over 45 years with comorbidities could gett the vaccine. From April 1, the drive was expanded to include everyone above the age of 45.
Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.