Delhi government will ensure vaccination to all citizens above 18 years

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Delhi government will ensure vaccination to all the citizens above 18 years, and that the government will soon announce the initiation of the drive. He urged people not to queue up at COVID-19 vaccination centres in the national capital beginning Saturday, when the third phase of the inoculation drive to cover all adults in India is scheduled to start. CM Kejriwal said that the Delhi government has not yet received the vaccines from the companies, which are to arrive in a day or two, following which, the government will begin the drive. CM Kejriwal said that around three lakh COVISHIELD vaccines are to be delivered by tomorrow or the day after and thereafter more doses are to arrive. He said that the government was in constant touch with the companies. He said that the manufacturers of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN have been urged to render 67 lakh doses each within three months. He said that the Delhi government will vaccinate every citizen within three months, requesting people to not be in a rush. The Delhi Chief Minister assured that everyone is to be inoculated and proper infrastructure has been made for the same. He said that this vaccination drive will be massive and requested public cooperation. Kejriwal said that the Delhi government and the Central government are working hand in hand to make this vaccination drive successful.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,  addressing a digital press conference, said, “Beginning 1 May, the vaccination drive for those between 18-44 years is set to begin. The vaccination drive for those aged 45 and above is already in motion. The procedure for those between 18-44 has garnered an overwhelming response and many people have registered for the same.”

He said, “We have not yet received the vaccine, and are in continuous touch with the companies and hope the vaccines will be delivered in a day or two. We’ve been assured of this.”

CM Kejriwal said, “Firstly, three (3) lakh COVISHIELD vaccines are to be delivered by tomorrow or the day after and thereafter more doses will arrive. It is therefore my humble request that you not queue up at the centres, for this should not lead to a law and order situation or hinder social distancing protocols. Once we get the vaccines, we will make an official announcement, following which, only those who are registered and given appointments are to come to the vaccination centres. I request everyone, not to rush. Everyone is to be inoculated and preparations have been made for the same.”

Kejriwal said, “We have two vaccines – COVISHIELD and COVAXIN — and both the manufacturers have been urged to render 67 lakh doses each. We have also requested them to provide these 67 lakh doses with each within three months, and the Delhi Government is prepared to bear the financial costs. The people of Delhi will be provided with the vaccines free of cost and we have also demanded a schedule from both the companies specifying the days when they supply the vaccines within these 3 months.”

He added, “We are trying our best that within the next 3 months the entire population of Delhi gets vaccinated. We have formulated a plan and even the infrastructure needed for this is in place. Now it will depend on the two companies as to how swiftly they provide us with the vaccine. If they are able to provide sufficient quantities of the vaccine, then we will try to vaccinate the people of Delhi within three months.”

CM Kejriwal said, “We have observed that those who have been inoculated are comparatively better off than those who haven’t been. It is not that they are prevented from catching COVID, but even if they do, it is not fatal and does not turn into something serious. The vaccine acts as a protective shield. Therefore, I urge everyone to get vaccinated as these are completely safe and entail no danger. Do request everyone around and your relatives to get inoculated.”

He said, “We need everyone’s support. Only if we are able to garner the support of the people of Delhi, can we complete the process within the next three months. This is a humongous exercise and to execute this herculean task is a massive challenge. This can only be completed with everyone’s support. Ergo, it is a request to not crowd the vaccination centres in the coming days. Each and every person will be vaccinated. The Central Government and the Delhi Government are working together, and only once all of us are on the same page, can we be guaranteed of success.”

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