Can vaccinate everyone in Delhi in 3 months if allowed, says Kejriwal

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday appealed to the Centre to bring some relaxations in the COVID-19 vaccination guidelines and make the process open for all aged above 18 years.

If done so then the entire population of Delhi could be immunised in three months, he asserted.

Acknowledging that Coronavirus cases in Delhi have been rising in the last few days, Kejriwal, at a virtual press conference, asserted it was not a matter to be worried about even as he announced the capacity of daily inoculation in Delhi will be augmented from 30,000-40,000 to 1.25 lakh.

He also said the number of vaccination centres will be doubled to 1,000 from about 500 at present spanning both government and private facilities. The closing time for vaccination would be extended and would be done from 9 am to 9 pm from 9 am to 5 pm currently.

Later in the day, an order about extending the timings of vaccination was issued by the health department.

"All the facilities will ensure deployment of adequate manpower at these sites to ensure the proper functioning of vaccination sites. Non-compliance shall be viewed seriously," it stated.

Kejriwal said, on one hand, India has taken a lead in making a vaccine, but unfortunately, on the other, a rise in cases is being reported in the country. This is "difficult to digest", he said.

"Thus, I would appeal to the Central government to bring some relaxations in the vaccination guidelines, in terms of eligibility of age groups. The current guidelines are very strict and rigid, and also has co-morbidity riders for an age group.

"Our country is now doing good in terms of the production of the vaccine. Therefore, rather than creating criteria on eligibility, age groups with comorbidities etc, we should create a category of ineligible people, for instance, people below 18 and other age groups," he said.

The Chief Minister suggested that the COVID-19 vaccination process be made open, and a walk-in facility should be included in case of a regular immunisation procedure.

"If the Centre relaxes those criteria and allows vaccination largely for all, and if we get a sufficient supply of the vaccine, then we have formulated a plan today to administer the vaccine to the entire population of Delhi in three months," he added.