Assam will be fully vaccinated by December: CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the government will be able to vaccinate the entire population of Assam by December this year. Interacting with ETV Senior Correspondent Chandrakala Choudhury, Sarma said that there is adequate supply of vaccine but getting appointment via portal is becoming difficult due to the rush.

New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the government will be able to vaccinate the entire population of Assam by December this year.

Speaking to ETV Bharat regarding shortage of vaccines in Assam, Sarma said, "In May, Assam received 13 lakh doses of vaccine from the centre as well as the state quota. In June, 19 lakh doses of vaccines will be received."

"Whereas, in July as many as 30-35 lakh vaccines is expected to be received. Therefore, by August there will be no scarcity", he added. He said that it is just a matter of 20 days of crisis and then gradually there will no shortage of vaccines in the state.

Sarma assured that the allocation will increase and everyone will be vaccinated by December.

“There will be scarcity when the demand is more and the supply is less. We have to rationalize and whatever allotment the central government is giving, we are getting it in time. I hardly see any social media posts or tweets criticizing the vaccine process. Sometimes issues like people not getting second doses come to the forefront and we immediately address the issue", he added.

Further, he added, there is adequate supply of vaccine but getting appointment via portal is becoming difficult due to the rush. People are getting slots at different centres, not in Guwahati, which they prefer. The key issue is rush. The Government of India has done its best for the interest of the country, he said.

"Hundred percent of the willing people will get the vaccine", he reiterated. Earlier, Sarma had said that the state government had planned to vaccinate about 1.2 crore people in Assam by August 15.