Health Ministry says no decision yet on vaccinating people above 45 years

Updated : March 17, 2021 04:26 PM IST

Six states had urged the government that all persons above the age of 45 should be vaccinated.

The meeting was called over growing cases of COVID-19 and the ongoing vaccination drive.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday clarified that the Centre is not looking at opening up vaccination for people above 45 without comorbidities yet.

Earlier in the day, six states had urged the government that all persons above the age of 45 should be vaccinated.

The proposal was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual meet with the Chief Ministers to review the COVID situation in the country.

The meeting was called over growing cases of COVID-19 and the ongoing vaccination drive.

In the meeting, states were asked to impose masks and social distancing more rigorously. Prime Minister said the fatality rate is one of the lowest in India.

Expressing concern over the surge in Positive cases in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Modi said, “Most of the COVID-affected countries in world had to face several waves of Corona. In our country too, cases have suddenly started increasing in some states...CMs have also expressed concern.Test positivity rate in Maharashtra & MP is very high & number of cases also rising.”

He said that 70 districts of the country have seen an increase of more than 150 percent in the last few weeks.

“If we don't stop it here, a situation of nationwide outbreak can come up,” he said.

Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, continue to report a high number of daily COVID-19 cases, and account for 71.10 percent of the 28,903 new infections reported on Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry said.

The sixth state with the highest number of infections is Kerala, which has been reporting a consistently declining trend over the last month.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published : March 17, 2021 02:06 PM IST

Health Ministry says no decision yet on vaccinating people above 45 years

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