No first dose of Covaxin in Assam due to supply issues

The Assam government will prioritise the second dose of Covaxin, due to a supply shortage. Inoculations of people needing the first dose will not resume for the time being.

“We have 3.2 lakh Covishield and 20,000 Covaxin (doses) in stock and another 50,000 Covaxin (doses) will be available within the week. We need more than 1.5 lakh Covaxin (doses) for the second dose,” Assam's health minister Kesab Mahanta said. Assam is now giving 50,000 vaccine shots every day.

“If the supply increases later, it will once again be opened. We will ensure those due for the second dose are given doses on time. About 1.5 lakh Covaxin vaccines were given as first dose in May for the 18-44 years’ category,” Mahanta said.


The state government’s immunisation spokesperson, Munindra Nath Ngatey, told ET, “Our orders with suppliers are already placed and we are expecting supplies. However, as there is shortage of Covaxin, we will only give to those due for the second dose.”