Karnataka yet to decide on funding vaccination for 18-45 age group

It is estimated that around 1.66 crore people in the state fall into the 45 years-plus age group

The State government is in a fix on whether to fund the vaccination of people between the age of 18 years and 45 years, come May 1, or pass the cost on to the people of Karnataka, even as seven States have already declared free vaccination for this age group: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Sikkim and Bihar.

Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, on being questioned about the State's plan to fund vaccination said he had to discuss with the Chief Minister as the State exchequer has to shell out a significant amount to fund the same. "Within 48 hours, post consultation with him, we will come up with a concrete plan on how to go about it," he said.

It is estimated that around 1.66 crore people in the State are above 45 years of aged according to a press note by the state health department issued on March 31. As per the 2019 general elections voters' list, there are 5,10,69,354 people above the age of 18, who have a voters' id. Hence, the State has the task of coming up with a vaccination plan for the remaining 3.44 crore people between the age of 18 and 44, each of whom have to be provided with two doses of the vaccine, which is around 6.88 crore doses of the vaccine.

While private hospitals can pay Rs. 600 per dose to Serum Institute of India for procuring vaccine vials, the State government has to shell out Rs. 400 per dose of Covishield.

On being question about the existing vaccine stock Sudhakar said, "Out of 89 lakh vaccine doses so far supplied to us, we have utilised 82 lakh doses, and are left with seven lakh doses, which the central government will replenish periodically." Out of 89 lakh vaccine doses so far received by the State, 78,85,000 are Covishield and 10,16,000 are Covaxin doses.