With many states raising concerns over the shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday clarified that the allocation is done to the states based on the population density.
The remark came amid statements from political leaders over the shortage of vaccines.
Addressing media in Bengaluru, Sitharaman said, "Every state gets allocation as per the density of the population/number of the vulnerable population. Centre supplies vaccines well in advance to the states. All states will be taken care of. I wish to assure that everybody will be vaccinated."
Sitharaman said Boeing India and other partners have approached the government of India for establishing emergency facilities requirements.
"After the second wave of Covid, this is my first visit to Bengaluru. Boeing India and other partners have approached the government of India for various different things. They have given funds to PM Cares. They also said that they are interested in establishing emergency facilities requirements. When they met me I told them to create the facilities requirements in Bengaluru, rural areas of Karnataka, Kalburgi in the north. Here there is a pediatric section, ICU, oxygen facility. They are ready for it,' the minister said.
Many states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, etc have said that they are facing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.
Earlier today, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan slammed political leaders over irresponsible statements on the vaccination drive and urged them to not create panic. He said that 12 crore doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available in July to the country.
"I'm seeing irresponsible statements from various leaders regarding #LargestVaccineDrive. Stating facts below so people can judge intentions of these leaders. After GoI provided 75 per cent of vaccines available for free, vaccination speed picked up & 11.50 cr doses were given in June," tweeted Dr Vardhan.