COVID-19: Maharashtra suspends vaccination drive for 18-44 age group

On Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray during an interaction with pediatricians announced the suspension of the COVID-19 vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group in the state. He said that the supply of vaccines is not smooth. He also said that a 24-hour vaccination drive can be started in the state once the production capacity of vaccines increases in June.

News agency ANI tweeted: “COVID inoculation drive for 18-44 age group has been suspended as supply of vaccines isn’t smooth. I’m hopeful that from June production capacity of vaccines will increase, then, we can run 24hr vaccination drive in the state: Maharashtra CM during interaction with paediatricians”

Here’s the tweet:

COVID inoculation drive for 18-44 age group has been suspended as supply of vaccines isn't smooth. I'm hopeful that from June production capacity of vaccines will increase, then, we can run 24hr vaccination drive in the state: Maharashtra CM during interaction with paediatricians pic.twitter.com/KHW5XvcHX9

— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2021

The Maharashtra CM said that the virus is not yet over. “We must be prepared ourselves regarding the third wave. In the second wave, we faced a shortage of oxygen, it should not be repeated in the future. In the coming days, I want to make sure that there is no shortage of oxygen. We will be self-reliant, but it will take time.”

As of today, more than 9.9 million vaccine doses have been administered to the 18-44 years age group.

As the positivity rate dropped nears 10% in Maharashtra, on Saturday, the state health minister Rajesh Tope dropped a hint that the government might consider easing some of the Covid-19 restrictions in a phased manner after June 1.

Stay tuned to The Live Mirror for more updates.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Spike: Maharashtra Extends Lockdown Till June 1