Vaccination of 18-44 year olds will begin in Tamil Nadu from May 20 (Thursday). State Health Minister M Subramanian said that this age group will be vaccinated in a phased manner.

He told on Tuesday that, “Initially, those 18-44 years old will be vaccinated, in which the risk of spreading the infection is high. These include auto rickshaw drivers and factory workers. ” The Health Minister said that CM M’s Stalin will launch the vaccination program.

M Subramanian said that the state government has approved Rs 46 crore for the purchase of the vaccine and 9 lakh doses have reached the state so far. On May 1, after the introduction of vaccination of people above 18 years of age in the entire country, the state government had said that due to lack of vaccine, it could not start it. According to data from the Union Health Ministry, only 38,710 people have been vaccinated in the age group of 18-44 years old in Tamil Nadu.

At the same time, 64,60,624 people (18-44 years) have been vaccinated under the vaccination campaign started in the third phase in the whole country. Due to the vaccine shortage, the Tamil Nadu government has issued a global tender for the purchase of 3.5 crore doses. The government has set a time frame for delivery of up to 180 days after the purchase order of 3.5 crore doses. The last date for submission of tender is 5 June.

News Source: IndiaToday