Maharashtra No. 1 by fully vaccinating 28.7L, but coverage only 3.2%

MUMBAI: Maharashtra has raced ahead of Gujarat to boast of the highest number of fully vaccinated people in the country. As on Thursday morning, the state has finished complete vaccination of 28.7lakh people, while Gujarat has given both doses to 28.5lakh. West Bengal with 27.4lakh complete vaccinations is in the third position.
In terms of coverage though, this achievement is a drop in the ocean — only 3.2% of the 9crore adult population has been covered. About 15% (1.7crore) have received one dose.

Nearly four months after the vaccination drive started on January 16, 90% healthcare workers in the state have taken the first dose, and 65% both doses. Among 13lakh-odd frontline workers, complete vaccination has been achieved for a little over 61% after they were included in the drive from February 13. In the 18-44 years group, 1.5lakh have got the vaccine since May 1. This third phase is moving at a snail’s pace due to vaccine shortage. Mumbai, for instance, is merely vaccinating 1,000-1,200 daily in the five public and two private centres.
Principal health secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas said not only was Maharashtra leading with the highest doses administered, and also had a wastage rate of less than 1%. Dr Dilip Patil, the state’s immunisation officer, said it was important that at least 29% of the 3.9crore 45-plus people have received at least one dose. That age group remains the most vulnerable, accounting for over 70% of Covid deaths.
A closer look reveals deep disparity between districts, both in the rate of vaccination and coverage. For instance, Kolhapur is at the top having administered at least one shot to 60% of the population above 45 years, while Hingoli is at the bottom with merely 11% having got one dose. The coverage in at least 23 districts is less than the state average. As many as 11 districts, including health minister Rajesh Tope’s home district Jalna, have achieved less than 20% coverage. In absolute numbers, Mumbai has vaccinated the highest (25.9lakh) followed by Pune (23.7lakh) and Thane (13.4lakh).
In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Palghar district is among the slow performers with a first dose coverage of 14%. A local senior official said just when awareness was being created, the district began to face a shortage of vaccine.
A health official from Chandrapur, where coverage has been around 25%, blamed the erratic supply and even questioned the distribution formula. “We often don’t get the quantities we need. Yet, our neighbouring districts are allocated more stocks. Gadchiroli and Bhandara have stocks for 15 and 32 days, respectively, while we have nothing,” the official said.
Immunisation in-charge Patil said the state has devised a distribution policy to help underperforming districts. “We have given additional doses to at least nine districts to boost their drives. These districts include Hingoli, Jalna, Yavatmal, Washim and Beed, among others,” he said. Earlier, districts were allocated doses solely based on their coverage and active cases.