The eastern Indian state of Odisha might have to stop its coronavirus immunisation drive for four days starting at the end of March because of a shortage of vaccine doses, according to a letter to the federal government reviewed by Reuters.

Many states have asked the government to replenish vaccine stocks so that they can cover more people faster. India has reported the third highest total of coronavirus infections after the United States and Brazil.

In a letter to the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare dated March 22, Odisha's additional chief secretary for health warned the state only had enough doses to run its vaccination drive until March 30.

It is expecting another batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine, locally known as Covishield, only on April 2.