Central Government says states can only procure 20 million COVID-19 vaccines in May

State governments are going to be given 20 million doses to vaccinate those within the 18-44 age bracket, consistent with a formula shared by the Union Government with the Supreme Court.

 The Centre said it's fixed quotas even for doses the state got to directly procure from the vaccine makers. The Centre said that the 20 million doses are going to be sent to the states supported what percentage people they need within the 18-44 age bracket so as to make sure that the doses are distributed in an equitable manner.

 "It is submitted that though the states are procuring vaccines from the manufacturers, the central govt. has, in consultation with the vaccine manufacturers, determined the pro-rata population of every state within the age bracket of 18-44 (years) and every state will procure only that quantity in order that there's no disparity in availability of vaccines between the states inter-se, either based upon difference in their bargaining power or otherwise," the Centre told the Supreme Court.

 The government's role is to make sure equitable vaccine distribution among the states while vaccinating the 18-44 population. It should be the case that a build of doses only reach a specific state. Since all states need vaccines, we've to ascertain thereto that each one states catch on, and to make sure that the Centre regularly discusses with states and advises accordingly," Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, Luv Agarwal said.