PANJIM: As India prepares for phase-3 of the COVID vaccine rollout from Saturday, in Goa adults in the 18-45 years age group might have to wait as the State is yet to receive the vaccine doses from the manufacturer.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has requested the people of this age group not to rush to vaccine centers from Saturday as despite placing order for 5 lakh doses of the vaccine the State is yet to receive them.
“Although Government of Goa has placed an order for 5 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 18-45 age group, the vaccination will begin as and when the State receives the doses from the manufacturer,” Sawant tweeted.
He said that the State government will issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for registration and vaccination of the identified age group in the third phase. “Requesting kind cooperation of citizens for the smooth rollout of the vaccination,” the Chief Minister tweeted further.
The State government, earlier this month, had placed an order for 5 lakh vaccine dose with the Serum Institute of India (SII), who communicated to the State, that the same cannot be fulfilled at this moment due to their prior pending commitments.
The Serum Institute had tentatively priced its vaccine at Rs 400 for the State government and Rs 600 for private hospitals.
The State has decided to provide vaccine doses to the entire population in the age group of 18-45 free of cost. The State intends to purchase altogether 15 lakh doses at a cost of Rs 60 crore.
