Maharashtra is one of the worst-affected states by the COVID-19 in India, and it has been under lockdown till May 15 for now. However, the cases are now gradually decreasing in the state. The Government of Maharashtra announced that it is temporarily reducing the COVID-19 vaccination for the citizens in the age group of 18-44, to focus on those over 45 due to a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the state. Yet, there will be no discontinuing of the vaccination process. According to a report by TOI, the task force of Maharashtra has also advised the government to suspend the vaccination drive for 18-44 age group till June 1, because by then, more COVID-19 vaccine doses are expected to be available in the state.
Earlier, the Maharashtra state government announced free vaccination for citizens in the 18-44 age group, and it was likewise started efficiently from May 1. The registrations for the COVID-19 vaccine doses were also commenced from April 28. However, due to a shortage of vaccines, the government decided to halt the vaccination process for the 18-44 age group temporarily. According to the Health Ministry of India, the state of Maharashtra on 10th May registered less than 40,000 new cases of the COVID-19 and 549 related deaths. But the state will halt the COVID-19 vaccination temporarily for people in the 18-44 age category and it will utilize its stock of 3 lakh vaccine doses to vaccinate the citizens above 45 years of age amid the shortage of vaccines. There are about 5 lakh people above 45 years of age in Maharashtra who are awaiting the second dose for the want of the COVID-19 vaccine doses.
In an interview with NDTV, the Health Minister of Maharashtra Rajesh Tope said, “We are slowing down the process for 18-44 because we don’t have giving vaccines right now to 45+ only. A discussion is on with the Chief Minister on getting more vaccines”. One of the major cities of Maharashtra, Mumbai, is also badly affected by the pandemic. Earlier, the government of Maharashtra said it was considering the possibility of importing vaccines directly for the use of citizens in Mumbai. And Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment of Maharashtra Aaditya Thackeray said that, if it is possible, the government also have a roadmap to vaccinate the people of Mumbai within three weeks. As per the Phase III of Vaccination Programme, which began from 1st May, vaccine manufacturers are permitted to release up to 50% of their supply to state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price for vaccination of 18-44 years category. Free vaccination for frontline and healthcare workers by the Centre, and those aged above 45 years is continuing free of cost at government vaccination centres.
After seeing the shortage of vaccine doses in affected states like Maharashtra, many other states have been urged by the Health Ministry of India, to minimise wastage of vaccine doses. The Ministry has also appealed to states to prioritise vaccinating those due for the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and reserve at least 70% of the doses supplied from the central pool for the purpose.
To review the status of COVID-19 vaccination, with the urgent need to address a large number of citizens waiting for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, was stressed in a meeting held by the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, and Dr R. S. Sharma, the Chairman of Empowered group of Technology and Data Management to Combat COVID-19, with some state officials. Besides, the Health Ministry said in a statement that, all wastage more than the national average after this is to be adjusted from the following distributions to the state or union territory. Numbers on vaccination has been shared state-wise by the Health Ministry, for the planning purposes of vaccine distribution.
According to the statement of the Ministry, states were urged to ensure all the receivers who have taken the first dose are prioritised for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The states can also reserve at least 70% of the vaccines supplied to them from the Government of India channel for the second dose vaccination and the remaining 30% for the first dose. However, the states have the authority to improve this to as much as 100%. By presenting the data of states who have confirmed high coverage of age group like 45+, and the others, the Union Health secretary has similarly urged states to ensure the priority age groups like 45+ are vaccinated. The states were also asked to undertake some awareness campaigns to strengthen the significance of complete vaccination, with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Reference –
- www.timesofindia.com
- www.mygov.in
- www.ndtv.com
- www.mohfw.gov.in