The Karnataka government has stopped the Covid-19 vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group in the state citing that the vaccines are currently out of stock in the State. National Health Mission (NHM) director Dr Arundhathi Chandrashekhar issued a notification about this.

The notification said that the vaccination time and date for the state COVID front line workers, vulnerable groups and priority groups identified within the 18-44 years age group will be informed.

The registration for the CoviShield vaccines for the 45 and above age group will be open online in the urban area and on-site in rural areas for the first dose added the notification. It also said that the beneficiaries can walk into their nearest Covid Vaccination Centre for the second dose.

The state government mentioned that it is facing Covaxin vaccine shortage for the first dose of the 45 and above age group also, but regarding the second dose, an SMS will be sent to beneficiaries who are yet to take their second dose.

Earlier, on May 20, state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that the vaccination drive for people below 45 years was halted.

He took to his Twitter and said, "State government-identified frontline workers and priority groups will be vaccinated first."