Mumbai: With inadequate supply from the Centre and a lack of clarity from suppliers, the current
vaccine shortage in Maharashtra is likely to continue for a few more weeks, according to state
officials, which means, the vaccination drive for those above 45 years of age will go on at a slow
pace, while it will remain suspended for the 18-44 age group. To make matters worse, the
global tender floated by the government to import 50 million vaccine doses haven’t got a
response from any vaccine manufacturer or supplier till May 20, forcing it to extend the date for
submission of tenders till May 25.
The Central government provides free vaccine doses for those in the 45 and above age group,
but for the beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group, the stock has to be procured by the state
government. So far, the state has procured a total of 1,989,150 doses for the 18-44 age group
and has inoculated 661,016 people with first doses. The remaining stock of 1,328,134 doses is
diverted for people in the 45+ age bracket, as it is not getting adequate supply from the Centre,
said a senior health department official. Officials say the decision to suspend the drive for the
18-44 age group was taken owing to two reasons – Indian manufacturers have not given any
confirmed supply schedule and shortage of doses for those above 45, especially for those who
are due for a second dose. They said the decision to resume vaccination for the 18-44 age group

will be taken only when the supply is regular, which does not seem possible in the coming
weeks.
On Saturday, the state expects to get another stock of 521,000 doses purchased by it, but it will
also be used for the 45+ age group. In addition, it will also get 26,460 doses from the Centre’s
allocation.
“We are expected to receive a stock of 547,460 Covishield doses on Saturday. The entire stock
will be used for beneficiaries in the 45+ age group. This will continue until the state government
decides to resume vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group,” said Dr Archana Patil, director,
Directorate Of Health Services. “The responsibility of making the vaccine stock available is of
the Centre. The state government had prepared to vaccinate people in big numbers. We have
ramped up our capacity to cover 8-10 lakh beneficiaries a day but are vaccinating with
whatever is being made available to us. This is the reason we have decided to prioritize those
due for the second dose and whatever is left is being used for the first dose of beneficiaries from
the 45+ age group,” said state health minister Rajesh Tope. “We are following up on the issue of
shortage with the Centre. We decided to suspend the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group
only to cover those who are due for the second dose from 45 and above age group,” said Ajit
Pawar, deputy chief minister in Pune.