Rajesh Tope: Vaccination of 18 to 44 year age group in state only after May 15

A third wave of corona infection is expected in Maharashtra between July and August, according to epidemic disease experts, before the government prepares to make the state self-sufficient in oxygen. Also, vaccination of citizens in the age group of 18 to 44 years will be started after May 15, state Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters on Thursday.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with District Collector and Divisional Commissioner held a televised meeting on Thursday evening regarding Covid measures. Tope said oxygen projects would be set up in every taluka in the state. Necessary equipment and machinery are being procured for this. A third wave of corona is expected in July. Before that, the state would be self-sufficient in oxygen, he claimed.

Bharat Biotech has reduced the price of its Covaxin vaccine by Rs 200 per dose. Serum has already reduced the price of their Covishield by Rs 100. Tope said the reduction in the cost of vaccines to the state has eased the financial burden on the state to some extent.

Currently, only senior citizens are being vaccinated. The central government is providing vaccines for this. The state is facing many difficulties in getting vaccines for the citizens below the age of 45 years. Vaccines are not available. Low vaccine supply can lead to congestion. Therefore, the government will not start vaccinating citizens between the ages of 18 and 44 unless the state receives at least 2.5 million vaccines. Therefore, it is not possible to vaccinate this group of citizens till at least May 15, informed Tope.