The vaccination drive for the 18-44 years age-group is expected to resume from Thursday after a consignment of 7,000 doses of Covaxin is scheduled to reach the steel city on Tuesday.

The programme for the 18-44 age-group at government-run centres was suspended for over a week, causing anxiety among residents. Moreover, the number of persons registering for the vaccine is much greater than the age-group of 45 years and above.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar said the slots for the beneficiaries will be allocated as a fresh lot of vaccines reach here.

"The district administration is going through a crisis of vaccines for the 18-44 years age-group due to short supply of the vaccines. But the administration is making all efforts to procure the vaccines so as to keep the drive for this age-group regular. As of now we are going to get 7,000 doses of Covaxin for resumption of the drive shortly, "said Kumar to The Telegraph Online.

The deputy commissioner said the vaccination drive for the 45 years and above is going on smoothly.

"Since the last 10 days, I was trying to get a slot online for the vaccine. Since May 25, no slot is being allocated. It is not known when I will be able to get vaccinated, "said Amit Singh, 23, a resident of Kadma to The Telegraph Online.

Tata Steel employees and their dependents are being administered the vaccine at Loyola School and Dhatkidih Community Center. Whereas those belonging to 45 years and above are getting the vaccines at the Dhatkidih Community Center, the ones belonging to the 18-44 years age-group are getting the vaccines at the Loyola School.

At present, 3,02,610 individuals have been given the first dose and 66,183 have received their second dose in the district.