Even as the State government has blamed the Centre for not replenishing adequate vaccines on a real-time basis leading to a shut-down of hundreds of vaccination sites across the State, the data released by the Centre shows Odisha figuring among the top vaccine recipient states in the country.
According to the data released by Union Health Ministry, the State will receive nearly 40.7 lakh doses in July. Odisha is the 11th highest recipient of vaccine doses in the country, the data reveals. The data further shows that Odisha was allocated a total of around 37 lakh doses in June.
As far as the July allocation is concerned, the table is led by Uttar Pradesh (1,91,16,830) followed by Maharashtra (1,15,25,170), Bihar (91,81,930), West Bengal (90,12,680), Tamil Nadu (71,01,320), Andhra Pradesh (70,86,320), Madhya Pradesh (70,28,800), Rajasthan (65,20,220), Karnataka (59,98,450), Gujarat (59,79,310), Odisha (40,67,870) and Kerala (36,50,680).
No Shot In Arm
Citing inadequate supply of vaccines, Odisha blamed the Centre for halting of the immunisation drive in districts like Koraput, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Nuapada and Jharsuguda.
"Owing to short supply of vaccines, only 520 sessions could be held today. Around 1,36,000 people were administered vaccines at 703 session sites yesterday,” said Bijay Panigrahi, Director, Health and Family Welfare.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra on Tuesday shot a missive to the Centre urging it to supply the required vaccines in the next two days to tide over this shortage. He had further highlighted that the allocation of 25.31 lakh doses of Covishield for July was lower than the 28.31 lakh second doses due for the month.
“Hence, you are requested to allocate an additional 15 lakh doses of Covishield to our state to manage vaccination sessions smoothly,” the letter stated.
The Centre's Point
As per a statement of the Union Health Ministry, since the Centre informs states 15-days in advance about Covid-19 vaccine supplies for a particular month, along with details about day-wise supply, states need to plan vaccination sessions accordingly.
"Since the vaccines cannot be ordered at a short notice, the states need to share with Centre the plan of vaccination much in advance. States need to intimate about the July requirement of second doses, first doses to Centre at least a month ahead," the statement observed.
July Jab Story
The data with the State Health Department shows Odisha administering around 10 lakh doses in July first week. For the first time on July 5, the State has achieved the target of delivering around 1 lakh second doses. However, on July 8, the second shot count tumbled down to around 61k.
As per the State's vaccination plan, Odisha requires nearly 1 crore doses per month to vaccinate around 3 lakh every day, including 1 lakh second doses.
However, a look at the production capacity of vaccine manufacturers in the country reveals that the firms simply don't have the capacity to supply only 1 crore doses to Odisha alone. Because, the two manufacturers (SII and Bharat Biotech) could supply a total of only 12 crore doses to the whole of the country in July, up from 11.5 crores in June.