India has vaccine stocks for 5.5 days, 1 more week’s in pipeline

Data collated from the Union health ministry shows that states have on average just over five days of vaccine stocks remaining at their current levels of vaccination, and an additional week’s supply is in the pipeline. In some states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, however, stocks are for less than two days and in others like Odisha, even with what’s on the way, they’ll have barely enough for four days.

This analysis is based on ministry data on the total doses supplied to each state as of 12.30pm on Thursday, the number of doses already used, doses in the pipeline, and the average level of daily vaccination since April 1, when the drive was expanded to include those over the age of 45.

Nationally, at April’s rate of vaccination of almost 3.6 million doses a day, total stock of 19.6 million will last five-and-half days. There’s an additional 24.5 million in the pipeline—enough for another week. But a step-up in the pace of vaccination—which every state would want to aim for—would deplete both existing stocks and what’s coming that much faster.

Maharashtra has averaged the highest number of daily doses over the week at 3.9 lakh, which means its remaining stock of 15 lakh doses is not enough for four days. Uttar Pradesh (2.5 days), Uttarakhand (2.9), Odisha (3.2) and Madhya Pradesh (3.5) are the other states that have less than four days stocks in hand.