Mizoram has wasted “zero” COVID-19 vaccines till April 11 while Manipur is among the top 5 states in India that account for maximum wastage of the vaccine, data released by the Union government has revealed.
The data shared by the Union government in an RTI reply said that the vaccine, which needs to be stored in cold chain, was wasted most in Tamil Nadu with 12 per cent of the same becoming useless due to various reasons.
Eight states that have reported ‘zero wastage’ of COVID-19 vaccine were Mizoram, Kerala, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Assam has reported 7.69 per cent wastage, Bihar reported 6.99 per cent, Chandigarh 6.93 per cent, Delhi 6.15 per cent and Rajasthan six per cent wastage.
The data, till April 11, showed Tamil Nadu reporting highest vaccine wastage at 12.10 per cent, followed by Haryana at 9.74 per cent, Punjab at 8.12 per cent, Manipur at 7.80 per cent and Telangana at 7.55 per cent.
The Union government on several occasions said that the allocation of vaccines will depend upon performance of the states.
“Government of India, from its share, will allocate vaccines to States/UTs based on the criteria of extent of infection (number of active COVID-19 cases) and performance (speed of administration). Wastage of vaccines will also be considered in these criteria and will affect the criteria negatively. Based on these, state-wise quota would be decided and communicated to the States adequately in advance,” Union Government had said on April 19.
From May 1, the Union government has allowed everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get a vaccine against COVID-19.
