Centre reviews progress of COVID-19 Vaccination; asks States to maximize use of Near-to-Home vaccination centres

New Delhi, May 31

The Union Health Ministry today held a review meeting with administrators from States and Union Territories on the progress of vaccination in States through video conferencing. The meeting comes in the backdrop of more flexibilities given to States to enhance the pace of vaccination and increased vaccine supplies for the next month shared with the States and UTs through the advance vaccine visibility calendar.

Chairing the meeting, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan appreciated the collective efforts of States and UTs to increase the pace of vaccination in the last week of this month, as most of the vaccine supply of the current month reached the states towards the end.

He also pointed out there is a substantial scope to accelerate the pace of vaccination even further. Nearly 12 crores doses will be available to States and UTs next month enabling them to ramp up the vaccination numbers.

The Health Secretary also assured that the Central Government will provide the states and UTs with the available buffer stock to urgently replenish their depleting stocks so that the vaccination drive carries on with a steady pace. States and UTs were urged to increase the number of near-to-home vaccination centres like community centre.