"Have to close Vaccination centre due to unavailability of vaccine", Rajesh Tope angry with Centre

Maharashtra has taken the lead in the country in terms of vaccination. However, the supply of vaccines from the central government is declining, said state health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday. He was speaking at a press conference in Mumbai today. Tope also expressed outrage at the centre this time over the supply of vaccines.

"As there is no vaccine available in some places in the state today, so we had to close vaccination centres unwillingly. He has also informed the Union Health Minister about the shortage of vaccine in state. The supply of vaccines from the Centre is on but there is no speed in it," said Rajesh Tope.

Maharashtra is the number one state in the country in terms of vaccination. Therefore, considering the need of the state, Tope has demanded that the Centre should provide 40 lakh doses of corona vaccine to Maharashtra every week. Vaccination is in full swing in the state and will be further accelerated in the near future. But in comparison, the state should also have a supply of vaccines, Tope said.

The state has a stock of 14 lakh vaccines and it will be depleted in three days. Therefore, the Centre should take note of this and provide vaccine to the states on the principle of supply as per the demand. I would not say that the central government does not supply vaccines. But the supply should be faster, said Rajesh Tope. Let's not do politics over the virus, he added. 

Corona's situaution is getting worse day by day. Therefore, this is not the time to politicize any issue, whether it is treatment or vaccination in the context of corona. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also made such an appeal and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis has also supported it. Therefore, even the opposition should not support those who oppose the sanctions. The seriousness of the situation should be recognized and if a section really needs to be exempted from restrictions, the state government will consider it and take a decision, said Rajesh Tope.