The governments of Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, among other states, on Tuesday decided to issue global tenders for procurement of Covid-19 vaccines as the domestic supply has failed to keep up with the rising demand amid the fierce second wave of the pandemic.

The Centre said it has so far provided more than 18 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs free of cost, but many of them have complained of an acute shortage of the jabs and are now prioritising people who need to be given their second dose within a prescribed period.

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha have also issued global tenders for procuring vaccines swiftly.

Two crore Covid vaccine doses will be procured through global tender to meet the increased demand and to facilitate vaccination of the age group of 18-44 years, Karnataka deputy chief minister and state Covid task force head CN Ashwath Narayan was quoted by NDTV as saying.