Maharashtra reverses decision: Opens jabs for 18-44

The Maharashtra government has reversed its decision to put off vaccination for those above 18 on May 1. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in a broadcast to the people said that the state government would begin vaccinations for those between 18 and 44 from May 1.

“We will begin vaccinating these, with the limited supplies we have. We ask people to not crowd vaccination centres,” said Thackeray. He assured that the state government will take the responsibility to vaccinate everyone and would accomplish it. Health minister Rajesh Tope had earlier said that the state will not begin vaccination for the lower age group until it had enough vaccine stock.

ET has learnt that the state’s decision to go ahead with the vaccination despite limited supplies was to deny political opponents a chance to attack the government. The chief minister spoke about restrictions in the state and explained their necessity. “If we had not put these restrictions, we would have had 9-10 lakh active cases. We have now 6 lakh active cases. The cases have not gone down but we have somehow stabilised the situation,” Thackeray said.