3rd wave likely in Sept, state can vax 15-20L per day but no supply: CM

Nagpur: CM Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday that the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic was likely in middle of September, if it comes, and vaccination was essential for safety. He added the state had the capacity and necessary infrastructure to inoculate 15-20 lakh people per day, but supply was not satisfactory.
The CM avoided mentioning either the central government or BJP while expressing concern over irregular supply of doses. Revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat and animal husbandry minister Sunil Kedar also highlighted short supply of doses, though they mentioned the central government.
Thackeray, health minister Rajesh Tope and Thorat dedicated 200 Mobile Vaccination Vans (titled Samruddhi Jeevan Raths) facilitated by energy minister Nitin Raut through CSR funds of Mahatransco, on Friday. CM and Tope graced the programme online whereas Thorat, Kedar, women and child welfare minister Yashomati Thakur and others were present at the Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur, on Friday.
Thackeray also said, “We are able to inoculate people as soon as we get supply of doses. But supply of doses is a problem. But I am satisfied that over 5 crore people have been administered two doses in the state. We could vaccinate 9 lakh people in a day.”
Thackeray said, “We are praying there is no third wave. We should keep our soldiers ready and equipped with weapons if there is one. Raut and his team facilitated vans for vaccination, which is equipping soldiers with weapons. It is our responsibility to work for the people, but the effort by Raut and his team was appreciable as was need of the hour and executed timely. Making available 200 ambulances and taking vaccination closes to people are very important steps.”
Thorat said, “MVA government, right from CM to all guardian ministers, have done a commendable job to end two waves. We need to be alert for third wave. Vaccination could not happen as per expectation till date. We are requesting the centre for sufficient stock of doses. Request has been made for 15-20 lakh doses per day but it is not being received.”
Stating that Raut’s project was the first-of-its-kind in entire country, Thorat said vaccine should reach each and every person in the state, which will be possible with such projects.
Kedar said, “Vaccination is the only available solution to beat the pandemic. I have even declared reward of Rs10 lakh to gram panchayat which ensures vaccination of all eligible people in its area. But problem is availability of doses, which is known to all. People who can get sufficient supply of doses should take the lead.”
Stating Raut’s project was a role model for others, Tope said, “Vaccination means important part of preparations for third wave. Centre and ICMR are predicting 60 lakh cases in third wave after projected 20 lakh in first and 40 lakh in second wave. The government under CM had given many relaxations so all need to ensure vaccination and Covid appropriate behaviour.”
Raut said the vans will be utilized for vaccination of those people who are unable to turn up at centres. “Vaccination of bedridden people, senior citizens, pregnant women and other such needy people will be done using these vans. Right from tribal areas to urban localities, vans have been provided to all 11 districts of Vidarbha,” he said.
Mahatransco has provided Rs25 crore CSR funds to Vidarbha Relief Society under divisional commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma for the project.