Dhaka, April 9 -- Many states in India, the world's biggest vaccine producer, which has exported tens of millions of shots, have also complained of shortages even for the priority groups of recipients.

Inoculations are currently limited to those aged over 45 and health and frontline workers.

"It's not that you can set up these big vaccine factories overnight," Modi said addressing chief ministers of states via video conference. "Whatever production we have got, we will have to prioritise."

"In our cities, a huge segment is poor or elderly ... we should take them for vaccination and prioritise it," he added.

India's health minister said earlier there was no shortage of shots for the groups eligible for vaccination, with more than 43 mi...