COVID-19: Maharashtra Receives 10 Lakh Covishield Vaccines

Maharashtra received 10,53,000 doses of Covishield vaccines including 3,50,000 vials purchased directly from the Serum Institute of India to inoculate people in the 18-44 age group. State Immunisation Officer, DN Patil confirmed the news on Sunday, May 9.

“On Sunday we received 703,000 doses of Covishield and only 36,000 doses of Covaxin for the vaccination of people over age 45. Besides that, we received 350,000 Covishield vaccines which the state government has purchased for vaccination of people in the 18-44 category. All the doses have been shipped out to various districts and the drive will continue,” Patil said.

However, the state continues to be plagued by a shortage of Covaxin, which is intended to be used as the second dose for people over the age of 45. In a letter sent to the Centre on Saturday, Principal Secretary of the State Health Department, Dr Pradeep Vyas requested the urgent supply of Covaxin for more than 5,00,000 people in the age group of 45+ awaiting their second dose.

Read - Maharashtra Receives Only 36,000 Doses Of Covaxin

Last week, the Centre supplied 11,50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines overall. But with the state administering 4,54,546 shots on Thursday, 3,63,753 on Friday, and 2,34,578 on Saturday, the stocks were on the verge of running out. The state only managed to vaccinate 1,09,276 people on Sunday. 

As of the most recent figures, Maharashtra has fully vaccinated 33,50,633 people while around 1.47 crore individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine.   

Also read - COVID-19 Cases In Home Quarantine Down By 16%

Speaking to the media, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope reiterated the reduced pace of vaccinations saying, “Currently our vaccination drive is going on at a slow pace because vaccines are not being made available. Chief minister has clearly said that Maharashtra has the potential to purchase 120 million doses in one go, but availability is the main issue. The Centre must intervene in this matter.” 

Tope went on to say that the state is looking to vaccinate at least 5.7 crore people in the 18-44 age segment provided the Centre allows the acquisition of foreign vaccines.