Will try to complete vaccination drive across Maharashtra within the next three months: Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Mrunal Jadhav

Pune, March 22, 2021: Maharashtra is witnessing an outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) again. With the number of new cases increasing day-by-day, the death rate has also risen in the State.
Speaking over the COVID-19 situation, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday informed the media about the vaccination drive in the State.

“Around three lakh people are being vaccinated against COVID-19 every day, we are trying to complete the vaccination drive within three months,” said Health Minister Tope.

“Around three lakh people are being vaccinated in the State daily. We are making arrangements to increase the number of private vaccination centres and make it easier for people to get vaccinated at sub-centres in rural areas. Now, hospitals with only 20 beds can also carry out vaccination drives. Therefore, people who will apply to be vaccinated will get approval easily. We are trying our best to complete the vaccination program within the next three months. We are paying special attention to the vaccination drive,” he said.

“Those in home isolation should also take care of themselves. Many of them live in housing societies, so the office bearers should also take care of the patients in home isolation. Our health workers are also taking care of them, so we are doing our best to prevent the spread of the infection,” said Tope.

“Now, elections are underway. IPL matches are underway in Gujarat. Guidelines have not been enforced there. Vaccine production should be allowed at Haffkine Institute For Training, Research, and Testing so that we can produce 1.7 million doses there. The Centre has advised keeping a gap of 45 to 60 days between the two doses of Covishield,” informed Tope.

“I had a talk with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray yesterday (Sunday). He has expressed concern over the growing number of COVID-19 patients in the State. He said that if the number of patients keeps increasing, then lockdown will be imposed in some cities. Now, we will have to take tough decisions. This will be discussed with the chief minister again tomorrow. But I appeal to people that if they want to avoid lockdown, they have to follow the rules and regulations,” the health minister appealed.