Thiruvananthapuram: A day after Kerala's overall COVID-19 cases crossed the 41 lakh mark, state Health Minister Veena George on Friday said the state is facing vaccine shortage and the Covishield stock is completely over in at least six districts, following which the government has asked for more vaccine doses from the Centre.
Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur are the districts facing vaccine shortages. "There are only 1.4 lakh doses of vaccine in the state. So I have asked the Central government to provide more vaccines as soon as possible", said the minister.
At the same time, all districts have low Covaxin stocks. Many people are reluctant to take Covaxin although it is equally effective and safe as Covishield.
The second dose should be taken within 84 days and 112 days after receiving the first dose. However, Covaxin can be taken as a second dose within 42 days, 28 days after the first dose.
Meanwhile, the vaccine program is actively progressing in the state. 88,23,524 doses of vaccine were regulated in August by the state. In this 70,89,202 people were given the first dose, while 17,34,322 were given the second dose. According to the Health Department, the Union government had provided 58,99,580 doses of Covishield and 11,36,360 doses of Covaxin. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation using Corporate Social Responsibility funds purchased 2.5 lakh doses of Covishield,
The Health Department is looking forward to dispensing 100% first doses to all in September. The state has regulated the first dose of the vaccine to 100% of healthcare and frontline workers while 86% of both categories have been given the second dose. In those above 45 years of age, 92% have been given the first dose while 47% have been inoculated with the second dose. For those between 18 and 44, 54% have got the first jab.
After all, Kerala still continues to report a high number of COVID-19 cases. On Thursday, September 2, it reported 32,097 cases with a TPR of 18.41%.