Due to the acute shortage of the Covid-19 vaccine for people in the 18 plus age group in Gurugram, the vaccination drive was suspended by the district health department on Friday, officials said.

The health officials said that though the inoculation of those above 45, who are getting a second dose will continue, but it is also likely to get affected if the district does not receive fresh vaccine stocks from the State Government soon.

The inoculation of those in the 18-44 age group began in Gurugram on May 1 and till May 12, over 43,992 people in this age group had received their first shots. In this category, the targeted population for immunisation is more than 10 lakh.

“Both Covishield and Covaxin stocks for the 18-44 age group are over in Gurugram. Therefore, no sessions have been planned for Friday.

Only Covishield shots will be given to those aged 45 and above, who are waiting for their second shot. If the doses are not allocated soon, vaccination for those in the 45 above slot will also be hampered,” said Virender Yadav, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Gurugram.

Most session sites in the city are at Government facilities with only two private hospitals — Max and Fortis — administering vaccines at present. On Friday, these hospitals will be the ones that give vaccines to people in the 18-44 category

“We have already urged the State Health Department to provide the stock but cannot say how much and when we’ll get this consignment,” said Dr MP Singh, the district immunisation officer.

According to Singh, there are about 8,000 doses left for the population in the 45 plus category.

It may be noted that the Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said that the State Government will float a global tender for the Covid-19 vaccines to ensure free vaccination for those aged between 18-44 years.