Amid the vaccine shortage in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday has asked the Union Health Ministry to explore all possibilities to ramp up the supply of Covid 19 vaccination so the third phase of vaccination drive could be initiated.

Due to the severe shortage of Covid vaccine in the public-funded hospitals, the Punjab govt has put inoculation drive on hold for people in 18-44 age group.

According to an official statement, “the state government has made a payment of Rs 10.37 crore to Serum Institute of India (SII) for procurement of around 30 lakh doses on April 26.”

"However, no schedule for supply had so far been received from them (SII)," said Health Secretary Hussan Lal during a virtual cabinet meeting caired by the Chief Minister.

"Only some private hospitals, which had placed direct orders for vaccination, had commenced the process of vaccinating the 18-44 age group population. “

However for the state government, “SII has only indicated that the availability of Covishield will be known in about four weeks' time," he added.

Meanwhile, there lies obscurity when state government-run hospitals will initiate the vaccination drive for the age of 18-44.

As per the Centre’s liberalized policy, in the third phase of the vaccination drive, all above 18 years of age will receive the jab from May 1.

However, due to the unavailability of vaccines, many states have put the drive on halt until further notice.