Third wave of COVID-19 expected between July and August: Rajesh Tope

Due to the shortage of vials, the vaccination drive has been hit in Maharashtra, however, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on April 29 warned that unless Maharashtra gets 25 to 30 lakh vaccine vials, it will not commence an inoculation drive against COVID-19 for people in the 18-44 age group. It will only be started after May 15.

The nationwide vaccination for people in the 18-44 age group is scheduled to start from May 1 and registration for the same is open on the CoWin app.

Speaking to reporters Tope said, “Unless Maharashtra gets between 25 lakh and 30 lakh vials, we will not commence vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group. The stock should be sufficient for at least five days to start the vaccination drive."

On several occasions, the state had to suspend vaccination due to a shortage of doses.

“Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has clearly informed us (the state cabinet) as well as the vaccine makers that he is willing to pay the entire purchase amount of vaccine doses with just one cheque. But he needs assurances of smooth and uninterrupted supply of vaccines to the state, he said.

The minister also said that the third wave is expected in Maharashtra between July and August. Therefore, the government is preparing for it by setting up oxygen plants in every taluka. He also claimed that the state should be self-sufficient before the third wave.

Tope said Maharashtra has the capacity to inoculate eight lakh, people, daily if adequate vaccines are provided to the state.

“Maharashtra’s wastage of COVID-19 vaccine is as low as 1 per cent. This is due to the careful management of distributors and our staff on the ground. We will be giving out vaccines mainly to government hospitals from May 1 for inoculation of people in the above 45 age category,” he added.

Tope has been complaining about a shortage of Covishield and Covaxin, the vaccines being used in the ongoing drive for people aged 45 and above.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, April 29, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Suresh Kakani informed in a press conference that due to insufficient stocks of COVID-19 vaccine vials in Mumbai, the vaccination drive has been halted for the next three days. He also clarified that Mumbaikars will be informed about the new supply of vaccines by Sunday, May 2.