Since India opened vaccinations to all adults this month, hoping to tame a disastrous coronavirus surge sweeping across the country, the pace of administering the shots has dropped with states saying they only have limited stock to give out.
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Cases meanwhile are still rising at record pace in the world's second-most populous nation. Alongside a slowdown in vaccinations, states have gone to court over oxygen shortages as hospitals struggle to treat a running line of COVID-19 patients.
On Sunday, India reported 403,738 confirmed cases, including 4,092 deaths.
Overall, India has over 22 million confirmed infections and 240,000 deaths. Experts say both figures are underestimations.
The country's massive vaccination drive kicked off sluggishly in January when cases were low and exports of vaccines were high, with 64 million doses going overseas.
But as infections started to rise in March and April, India's exports drastically slowed down so doses went to its own population. So far, around 10 per cent of India's population have received one shot while just under 2.5 per cent have got both.
At its peak in early April, India was administering a record high of 3.5 million shots a day on average. But this number has consistently shrunk since, reaching an average of 1.3 million shots a day over the past week.
One reason for the drop in shots is that there are just not enough available, experts say.
Currently, India's two vaccine makers produce an estimated 70 million doses each month of the two approved shots - AstraZeneca, made by the Serum Institute of India, and another by Bharat Biotech.
In Kerala state, the drive to inoculate all adults is crawling along because "our single biggest problem is the very slow arrival of supplies," said the state's COVID-19 officer, Amar Fetle.
In New Delhi, many are waiting for hours outside vaccination centres - but only after they've been able to book a slot.
Experts also point to a new policy change by the government, which has upended how doses are being distributed.
Previously, all of the stock was bought by the federal government and then administered to the population through both public and private health facilities.
But from May 1, all available stock has been divided in two, with 50 per cent purchased by the government going to public health centres to inoculate those above 45. The remaining half is being purchased by states and the private sector directly from manufacturers at set prices to give adults below 45.
This has led to lags as states and private hospitals, still adjusting to new rules, struggle to procure supplies on their own.
Australian Associated Press
