In a major concern it has come to light that the vaccination rate in Maharashtra has dropped over the past three weeks as the third wave of COVID-19 started to recede.
According to latest reports, the daily average of the doses, which was 6,24,642 in December and 4,69,739 in January, has come down to 3,01,846 in the first eight days of this month, February.
If accounts are to be believed the state has 9.90 million beneficiaries who are yet to get their first dose, while 13.43 million are due for their second shot.
As per the data revealed by the health department, Maharashtra has more than 95.15 million beneficiaries, including over 5.5 million in the 15-17 age group. Of which, more than 10% are yet to go for their first dose, while the percentage of the fully vaccinated is over 66 (62.84 million).
About 91.16% eligible beneficiaries above 18 years have taken their first shot, while the percentage of vaccination with the first dose in the 15-17 age group is 54.95, as on February 8.
Officials attribute it to the drop in COVID-19 cases, lowered severity of infection, and misconceptions among beneficiaries. They also wary that the remaining lot of unvaccinated is unlikely to respond to their efforts and come forward for the doses.
India should begin the inoculation of those below 15 years similar to UK, officials added.
For those unversed, on Thursday, February 10, Maharashtra recorded 6,248 new cases, taking the total tally to 7,829,633. As many as 45 deaths pushed the toll to 1,43,292. Meanwhile, Mumbai recorded 429 fresh cases and two deaths, taking the tally to 1,052,128 and the toll to 16,678.
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