Karnataka govt suspends vaccination for 18-44 age group from May 14

Just two days after opening vaccination for the 18-44 age group at select sites in Bengaluru and Karnataka, the state government on Wednesday announced that vaccination for the 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointment) will be temporarily suspended from May 14 till further orders.

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This order will be applicable for Covid vaccination at all Government Covid vaccination centres in the state, as well as private vaccination centres, who are vaccinating 18-44 age group with Covishield and Covaxin in Bengaluru, include Apollo hospital group, BGS Gleneagles and Manipal Hospital group.

On May 7, it was decided by the government to utilise the complete supply of vaccines provided by the Government of India for vaccination of persons above 45 years of age and for vaccinating beneficiaries who were due for a second dose.

"Today, the state government has decided that the vaccine procured directly by the state for vaccination of persons between 18 to 44 years will be utilised for vaccination of beneficiaries who are due for the second dose. Therefore all vaccines available with the state government (supplied by Government of India and procured directly by state) will be utilised for vaccination of beneficiaries due for the second dose," said a note by the State health department issued on Wednesday.

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On May 1, what seemed like a symbolic start to vaccination of 18-44 years age group, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa flagged off vaccination drive at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital where a mere 24 out of the 44 who registered on Co-WIN showed up.

Till 3.30 pm on Wednesday, 22,506 people were vaccinated in the age group of 18-44 years.

Till May 12, according to official data, 70,371 people have been vaccinated in the 18-44 age group till 3.30 pm across the state.

Earlier today, rattled by a shortage of vaccines, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra also decided to temporarily suspend inoculation of the 18-44 age group and divert the stock to carry out a seamless and trouble-free vaccination of the 45+ category.