PANAJI
With vaccine shortages being reported from across the country, Goans too, in all likelihood, especially those in the 18 to 45 years age group, may have to wait till the third week of May to get vaccinated.
Serum Institute of India has informed the State government that due to prior commitment to Centre they will not be able to supply Covid vaccine doses to Goa till third week of May.
“Government of Goa has made full advance payment for 5 lakh doses which are to be used to vaccinate people in this category. Serum has issued invoice for only 32,870 doses,” said Health Secretary Ravi Dhawan. Goa govt has also approached Covaxin manufacturer for the supply of additional doses, he added.
As per the earlier announcement of the government, vaccination for this group was supposed to start from May 1.
Meanwhile, as the State gasps for want of oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators, amid one of the worst crises in the second wave of Covid 19 pandemic, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft delivered 200 oxygen concentrators, sent by the Centre to Goa.
As is known, there is an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators in the State as hospitals and government health facilities are overflowing with the Covid positive patients.
In the meantime, Don Bosco High School will be the new vaccination centre for Panaji from May 10. Vaccination for those above 45 years will commence from this centre from May 10. The vaccination centre was earlier located at Panaji Urban Health Center which is now shifted to Don Bosco school.
Health Secretary Dhawan also informed that government portal link giving real-time information about number of beds and other facilities available for Covid patients is likely to go live by May 10.
“Link will go up soon, hopefully by tomorrow,” he said.
The High Court had asked the State government in its order issued on Thursday, to provide information to the public through the government website.
