As the country facing a severe shortage of vaccine doses amid the raging coronavirus pandemic, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda on Thursday remarked that should the people in the government hand themselves over it.

“The court has with good intention said everyone in the country should get vaccinated. I want to ask you, if the court says tomorrow that you have to give this much (of vaccine), if it has not been produced yet, should we hang ourselves?” PTI quoted Gowda as saying.

He made the comments while responding to the queries on the shortage of vaccine. While talking about the government’s strategy over the issue, the Union Minister said its decisions are not guided by any political gain or by any other reason.

The government has been doing its job sincerely and honestly during which time some shortcomings have surfaced, he said.

“Practically, certain things are beyond our control, can we manage them?,” the Union Minister sought to know.
He, however, clarified that the government has been doing its best to ensure that in a day or two, things improve and people get vaccinated.

 ‘2 bn vaccine doses to be available in 5 months’

Meanwhile, the Central government has said that two billion doses will be made available in the country in five months between August and December, enough to vaccinate the entire population.

It also said the Russian anti-Covid vaccine Sputnik V is likely to be available by next week.

“Two billion doses (216 crore) will be made in the country in five months for India and for people of India. The vaccine will be available for all as we move forward,” Niti Ayog Member V K Paul said, adding by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be three billion.