Over 11 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Rajasthan.

According to CM Ashok Gehlot, as of May 26, 3.38 lakh doses have been wasted in the state, which is two percent of 1.63 crore people vaccinated.

According to CM Ashok Gehlot, as of May 26, 3.38 lakh doses have been wasted in the state, which is two percent of 1.63 crore people vaccinated.On May 31, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat alleged that Rajasthan wasted 11.5 lakh doses of the Coronavirus vaccine, an NDTV report said.

The same day, a Daily Bhaskar report claimed vaccine wastage in Rajasthan. The report said that 500 vials with over 2500 doses were found lying in the garbage bins of 35 vaccination centers by their reporters. It added that in their private investigation, Bhaskar’s team has found that the majority of the vials were 25-75 percent filled with the doses.

According to a Times of India report, on May 31, Union Minister Dr. Harshvardhan wrote to state health minister Raghu Sharma, urging him to “optimize vaccine utilization.” “In most districts, the wastage is more than the national average, which is less than one percent,” he was quoted by TOI. According to the report, he also asked Sharma to investigate the wastage of vaccine vials on priority.

On June 1, 2021, news agency ANI claimed COVID-19 vaccine wastage in Rajasthan’s Bundi. The report quoted local healthcare workers saying that the villagers are not coming for vaccinations, leading to wastage, considering 10-11 people can be jabbed from a single vial.

However, we cannot authenticate both Bhaskar and ANI reports.

Moreover, the allegations have been denied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Responding to Union Minister Shekhawat’s allegations, Gehlot tweeted that “BJP is spreading lies” and is “trying to bring down the morale of the frontline workers.” “As of May 26, over 1.63 crore people were vaccinated, out of which only 3.38 lakh doses were wasted, which is only 2 percent”.

However, since we cannot authenticate the media reports make the claims, and the remarks made by Union Minister Shekhawat are also based on these media reports; there is no basis for claiming that over 11 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Rajasthan. Therefore, the claim can be marked as False.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.