<p>Hinting at delay in starting Covid-19 vaccination of those in the 18-44 age group in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday said it does not have sufficient doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the inoculation of those in the younger age bracket.<br /><br />However, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that orders have been placed with manufacturers. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier announced that Covid-19 vaccination in the capital would be free.</p>.<p>"At present, we don't have vaccines. We have requested the companies to provide it...We will tell you in a day or two,” Jain told reporters.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/delhi-govt-raises-covid-19-cases-by-44350-fatalities-by-761-in-revised-cumulative-data-980407.html" target="_blank">Delhi govt raises Covid-19 cases by 44,350, fatalities by 761 in revised cumulative data</a></strong></p>.<p>He was responding to questions on whether the city government has enough vaccines and whether the vaccination drive would start for 18-44 age group from Saturday as allowed by the Centre.</p>.<p>Several states have indicated that it will not be starting the vaccination drive for 18-44 from May 1 citing shortage of vaccine doses.</p>.<p>Though orders have been placed, Jain said vaccine manufactures are yet to provide a schedule of supply. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the government had cleared a proposal to procure 1.34 crore vaccine doses.</p>.<p>Asked about the dip in number of testing from around one lakh to 75,000, he said it was due to the restricted movement of people due to the lockdown.</p>.<p>Referring the opposition's allegations about a big difference in data related to deaths compiled at crematoriums and that released by the Delhi government, Jain said it was not the time to play politics.</p>.<p>"They had raised the issue six months ago also. Everything was fine. Who has the right to hide the number of deaths? Everything is being done in a transparent manner in Delhi,” he added.</p>.<p>Delhi recorded 368 more Covid-19 deaths and 25,986 cases with a positivity rate of 31.76 per cent, according to the latest bulletin issued by the city health department.</p>.<p>This was the seventh day on the trot that Delhi had recorded over 300 deaths due to coronavirus.</p>
<p>Hinting at delay in starting Covid-19 vaccination of those in the 18-44 age group in the national capital, the Delhi government on Thursday said it does not have sufficient doses of Covid-19 vaccines for the inoculation of those in the younger age bracket.<br /><br />However, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that orders have been placed with manufacturers. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier announced that Covid-19 vaccination in the capital would be free.</p>.<p>"At present, we don't have vaccines. We have requested the companies to provide it...We will tell you in a day or two,” Jain told reporters.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/delhi-govt-raises-covid-19-cases-by-44350-fatalities-by-761-in-revised-cumulative-data-980407.html" target="_blank">Delhi govt raises Covid-19 cases by 44,350, fatalities by 761 in revised cumulative data</a></strong></p>.<p>He was responding to questions on whether the city government has enough vaccines and whether the vaccination drive would start for 18-44 age group from Saturday as allowed by the Centre.</p>.<p>Several states have indicated that it will not be starting the vaccination drive for 18-44 from May 1 citing shortage of vaccine doses.</p>.<p>Though orders have been placed, Jain said vaccine manufactures are yet to provide a schedule of supply. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the government had cleared a proposal to procure 1.34 crore vaccine doses.</p>.<p>Asked about the dip in number of testing from around one lakh to 75,000, he said it was due to the restricted movement of people due to the lockdown.</p>.<p>Referring the opposition's allegations about a big difference in data related to deaths compiled at crematoriums and that released by the Delhi government, Jain said it was not the time to play politics.</p>.<p>"They had raised the issue six months ago also. Everything was fine. Who has the right to hide the number of deaths? Everything is being done in a transparent manner in Delhi,” he added.</p>.<p>Delhi recorded 368 more Covid-19 deaths and 25,986 cases with a positivity rate of 31.76 per cent, according to the latest bulletin issued by the city health department.</p>.<p>This was the seventh day on the trot that Delhi had recorded over 300 deaths due to coronavirus.</p>