K'taka aims 2nd dose for 70% eligible people by Dec-end: CM Bommai

The Centre has assured it will supply more COVID-19 vaccine to Karnataka as the state targets to inoculate 70 per cent of its eligible population with the second dose by December-end, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday after meeting Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya here.

The Union minister in the meeting said he was happy with the vaccination drive undertaken by the state, which has achieved 1.48 crore doses of vaccination last month, he told reporters.

"The minister assured us that he will give more (vaccines) if required. We have a stock of 51 lakh doses and a special drive is being undertaken. We are focusing on giving the second dose to people," Bommai said.

So far, the state government has administered first dose to 81 per cent of the eligible population, while the second dose has been given to 37 per cent of the eligible population of the state, he said.

"By the end of December, Karnataka's target is to provide first dose to 90 per cent (of the eligible population) and second dose to 70 per cent of the eligible population. The Union minister has assured full support for this drive," the chief minister said.

Bommai informed that the Union minister is scheduled to visit Bengaluru to attend the convocation programme of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Science on October 15 and also review health infrastructure in the state.

State Health Minister K Sudhakar and Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar were present at the meeting.

Bommai plans to meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP National President J P Nadda later during the day.