Synopsis The Centre earlier this month expanded the eligibility age for vaccinations to 18 years and above, to be serviced by state governments and private hospitals. But SII and Bharat Biotech may send Covid vaccines to states and private hospitals only by 3rd week of month or later. AP These delays will slow down India’s vaccination drive at a time when it needs to be accelerated to subdue the rising tide of infections engulfing the country and overwhelming its healthcare system. State governments and private hospitals are unlikely to begin their vaccination programmes for the 18-44 years age group on May 1 as Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech have expressed their inability to supply jabs to them before the third week of the month. Chhattisgarh claims it has been told it will get vaccines only in July.