Vax for 18+: Maha to give priority to 35-44 age group

MUMBAI: Amid limited stock for the third phase for the 18-44 age group and to control crowding at vaccination centres, the Maharashtra government plans to first give the shot to those in the 35-44 age group, with preference to people with comorbidities. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is expected to take a decision on it, said state health minister Rajesh Tope, adding the inoculation of those in the 18-34 age group would start once adequate doses are available.

Currently, the state is inoculating citizens in the 18-44 age group only at five centres in a district, as the number of doses is limited.

The state started the drive with 300,000 Covishield doses and later purchased 479,000 Covaxin doses. So far, 215,284 citizens in the 18-44 category have been inoculated since May 1.

The move is prompted amid instances of people from urban areas taking an appointment at vaccination centres in rural areas. Tope said such incidents have caused “unrest” among locals in rural areas.

“Till we have abundant supply of vaccines, we will have to make slots as per the age group and comorbidities. If 100% people from the 18-44 category are allowed to go, there can be crowding. We plan to have an age bracket of 35 to 44, with preference to people with comorbidities. I will discuss this with the chief minister,” said Tope.

PRATIK CHORGE/HT PHOTO Citizens wait in a queue to get vaccinated, at Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar.