New Delhi: Delhi is likely to receive the first consignment of Sputnik V, the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, in June, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday, while stressing that vaccination is the key to fight against the coronavirus.
The city currently has 944 cases of mucormycosis, including 300 at the central government-run hospitals, he said.
Kejriwal was present at a city school to launch a special vaccination drive for journalists and their families.
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"We have started this vaccination facility for journalists and their families. There was a demand from journalists to start a special vaccination facility for them. The vaccines are being administered to those in the 18-44 age group as well as those aged above 45. I urge all journalists to come in large numbers and get vaccinated. You can protect yourself from the coronavirus only through vaccination," he told reporters.
The Chief Minister said there are 944 cases of black fungus infection in the national capital currently.
"There are 944 cases of the infection, including 300 at the Centre-run hospitals. There is a huge shortage of medicines. We received 1,000 injections on Saturday and nothing on Sunday," he said.
Kejriwal said Delhi is likely to get a portion of the Sputnik V consignment that will be imported by the firm concerned after June 20.
"The production of the vaccine is likely to start in India in August," he said.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission for restricted emergency use of Sputnik V with certain conditions. Dr Reddy's Laboratories will import the vaccine into the country.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal also inaugurated a free COVID-19 vaccination facility for journalists and their family members at a government school in ITO on Monday.
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While addressing the media here, the Chief Minister said that the service will be extended to family members above the age of 18. "We have started this facility to vaccinate journalists and their family members in both 45+ and 18 to 44 age categories," Kejriwal said.
Earlier on May 7, the Delhi Government had announced a mass COVID-19 vaccination drive for all the media houses -- electronic, digital and print - in the national capital. It will bear the cost of the vaccination, Kejriwal had said.
As many as 946 new COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 1.25 per cent, 1,803 recoveries, and 78 deaths were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours.
The total cases in the city stand at 14,25,592, including 12,100 active cases.
(with inputs from agencies)
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