PUNE: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said though the infrastructure was ready to carry out one lakh vaccination a day in the district, availability of the doses was a concern.
After conducting the Covid review meeting of Pune district, Pawar said the state government was working towards improving the vaccine supply and the situation was likely to be streamlined by August 31.
On the ongoing vaccination drive, Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune district, said the vaccination of the people with different physical abilities has started and steps have been taken to inoculate students heading abroad for studies.
“The vaccination will gather more speed.
But it depends on the availability of the vaccines.
The Pune district administration is prepared to administer one lakh doses a day.
It is likely that a large number of citizens will be vaccinated by August 31,” he said.
Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director (medical), Pune circle, told TOI that the deputy CM’s statement came after discussions with the Centre.
“Even for the rest of June and July, we will get a good amount of vaccines — both Covishield and Covaxin.
By August, we are likely to get vaccines from other manufacturers as well.” Deshmukh said in June, the district has so far received around 1.26 lakh doses of Covishield and 44,460 doses of Covaxin.
“Besides gettng inoculated at the private centres, the vaccine beneficiaries have multiple options for getting the shots,” he said.
A Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) official said on Saturday, 12 vaccination sites would offer the second dose of Covaxin to the 18-44 and 45-plus age categories.
Covishield will be offered across 53 vaccination sites to the people aged 45 and above only.
In the Pune civic limits, 16 sites will administer Covaxin to the second dose beneficiaries, As many as 53 centres will offer Covishield.
Maharashtra hit the milestone of 25 million vaccinations on Wednesday, the highest by any state, retaining its top position in total doses administered.