Chennai: The Covid-19 vaccination for people in the 18-44 age group is unlikely to take off today in Tamilnadu due to shortage of vaccines.
Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan told reporters that as per the orders of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami orders have been placed for procuring 1.5 crore vaccines.
‘But till now, we don’t know when it will reach. We have not received any information so far’, he added.
‘It’s not just Tamilnadu, even other states are also facing a similar problem’, he said.
Dr Radhakrishnan said the Covid-19 situation in Chennai, Chengalpet and Coimbatore is posing a challenge as the case load in these districts showed a sharp increase.
He, however, said the government is taking all necessary efforts to curb the spread.
He also warned of strict action against those selling Remedesivir in black market.
Earlier, he said that Remdesivir was no ‘magic medicine’ and only 30 per cent of coronavirus patients had required it for treatment.
Dr Radhakrishnan said the State government took a historic decision of allowing retail sale of Remdesivir to about 3,000 people a day.
As many as 9,000 more beds would be set up in government hospitals across the State in the next one week.
Already 4,000 were added to ensure that there was no bed shortage for treating COVID patients.
Dr Radhakrishnan also said that the number of beds with oxygen support is being ramped up.
With a view to prevent the spread of pandemic, the State government has imposed night curfew from 20 April and complete lockdown on all Sundays, besides strict fresh restrictions from 26 April.
A Government Order issued by Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan said the night curfew and Sunday complete lockdown will continue until further orders.