Arvind Kejriwal said people can come for shots once vaccines stocks are available (File)
A day before vaccinations open to all above 18, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens not to queue up for Covid shots as the city has not received vaccine supplies yet.
"Don't queue up for vaccines tomorrow. As soon as vaccines arrive we will let you know, then you can come for shots. We appeal to you not to crowd vaccine centres in the next few days," Arvind Kejriwal said today.
"Many across the country have registered for vaccines but we have not received stocks. We are in regular touch with companies and we hope to get the vaccines in a day or two," the Chief Minister added.
According to him, the Delhi government would receive around 3 lakh Covishield doses by Sunday. "Both vaccine-makers (Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech) will give us 67 lakh doses each," Mr Kejriwal said.
Tomorrow, vaccinations are to be widened to those between 18 and 44, but several states have said they cannot start the drive as they have no vaccine stocks.
In the latest phase of the nationwide inoculation drive that started in January, vaccine-makers will sell 50 per cent of their doses to the state government and private companies at higher rates while providing the rest to the Centre at existing rates.
Many states have complained about the dual pricing and say they have been told by the manufacturers that stocks will arrive later.
The Centre says it will continue vaccinating those above 45. Effectively, those between 18 and 44 may need to wait for now.
Mr Kejriwal said his government aimed to vaccinate all those eligible in Delhi within three months and that all infrastructure and planning was in place.
"Everyone will get vaccine but we need everyone's cooperation."