Sputnik V makers to supply vaccine to Delhi, says CM Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the makers of Sputnik V have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to the national capital. He added that the quantity is yet to be decided.

"Talks with the makers of Sputnik V are on. They will give us vaccine, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday, too," the CM told reporters.

The chief minister said that the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group in Delhi remains halted for four days amid the scarcity of vaccine doses. He further informed that there's no information when the national capital will be provided with the new stock.

Meanwhile, speaking at a virtual press conference, Kejriwal said that just like in Delhi, several other states across India are forced to shut vaccination due to Centre's inability to deliver vaccine doses. " Today when we should have opened new centres, but now we are also shutting the existing ones, which is not good," he said.

"This is the time to unite and work for both State and Centre, and not work separately. We need to work as Team India. It's the Centre's responsibility to provide vaccine, not States. If we delay it more, don't know how many more lives will be lost."

"Why isn’t this country buying vaccines? We can’t leave it on states. Our country is at war against Covid19. If Pakistan attacks India, will we leave states on their own? Will UP buy its own tanks or Delhi its own arms?" he added.