Maharashtra on Tuesday temporarily suspended the COVID vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group due to a shortage of vaccine doses, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
The vaccine doses currently available with the state will instead be used to vaccinate people of 45 years and above as administering the second jab of these people is a priority, he said.
Speaking to media persons, Rajesh Tope said, “There is a dearth of vaccines hence we are considering holding off vaccination drive temporarily for the 18-44 age group. 2.75 lakh vaccine doses left for this group, that will be used for 45 years and above group now. Administering the second dose is a priority.”
There is a dearth of vaccines hence we’re considering holding off vaccination drive temporarily for 18-44 age group. 2.75 lakh vaccine doses left for this group, that’ll be used for 45 yrs & above group now. Administering 2nd dose is priority: Maharashtra Health Min Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/KkJ4e9U9MW
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021
The state government has promised to provide free vaccines to those between the age group 18-44 years so as to combat the second wave of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, State Minister Aaditya Thackery said that they have asked Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to explore possibilities of global procurement of vaccines.
“While we explore possibilities of globally procuring vaccines and also increasing vaccination centres to have 1 in every municipal ward, the road map for administering the second shot for every age group will be published soon, he tweeted.
In a series of tweets, he said work was also on to ensure those not well-versed with technology or those who are unable to operate the CoWin app get access to vaccines in time.
Earlier today, Thackery also met with BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and Additional municipal commissioner (Health) Suresh Kakani, and discussed the strategy for COVID-19 vaccination in Mumbai and the preparation for a possible third coronavirus wave.
This afternoon I met with MC Chahal ji and AMC Kakani ji to discuss and work out a strategy for
1) Ensuring 2nd shot is administered in time.
2) Communication & Slots for those not tech savvy or on social media.
3) Activation of 227 ward 💉centres
4) Preps for possible 3rd wave pic.twitter.com/WUpms4smCT— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 11, 2021
As for the possible 3rd wave, while we add jumbo covid care centres to increase bed & ICU capacity, we are also taking advice from Task Force of Pediatricians constituted by CM Uddhav Thackeray ji to prepare for covid cases in children, if need arises.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 11, 2021
Maharashtra reported 40,956 new COVID-19 cases, 793 deaths and 71,966 discharges in the last 24 hours.