Chhattisgarh counters Centre's report, says it records 0.95% vaccine waste

Countering the report released by the centre that stated that the rate of wastage of vaccine in Chhattisgarh is 30 per cent, Health Minister Deo said the rate of in the state is only 0.95 per cent

Countering the report released by the central government that stated that the rate of wastage of vaccine in Chhattisgarh is 30 per cent, Health Minister TS Singh Deo said the rate of wastage of corona vaccine in the state is only 0.95 per cent.

Deo further said that the state government aims to administer at least 1 lakh doses per day.

"Vaccine wastage is 0.95 per cent as opposed to 30 per cent wastage presented in reports. The way things are presented leads to a difference in vaccine percentage and then you have to justify it," the Health Minister said.

He added, "Now we can expect to have better availability of vaccines. If we have all the stock to vaccinate the 18 plus age group, we would want to administer at least 1 lakh doses per day."

Earlier, the Union Health Ministry had reported that about 30.2 per cent of vaccine doses in Chhattisgarh were wasted.

Deo further said that the previous vaccination policy had led to a situation where despite the ample availability of vaccines, people were not vaccinated as the stock was abundant for the above 45 age group but not enough for 18-44.

"Earlier, for the 18-44 age group, we had only enough stock to last three days, while for the 45 plus age group we had enough vaccines to last 348 days. The (previous) policy led to a situation where despite vaccine availability people were not vaccinated. But now, we are expecting more vaccines," he said.