Covid-19: Maharashtra close to bottom of vaccine chart, just above Bihar, North-East

Mumbai: Maharashtra fares just above Bihar, Jharkhand and North-East states (minus Assam) and is almost at the bottom of the national Covid-19 vaccination coverage chart, as per recent union heath ministry data. The Centre will soon initiate one-on-one discussions with states that are lagging in the coverage of primary as well as precautionary doses, Dr N K Arora, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) chief, told TOI on Tuesday.

According to the latest union health ministry figures, 96.2% of Indians aged over 15 have received at least one shot while 85.2% have got both. Several states, including Maharashtra, though, are much behind the country average. Maharashtra has managed to deliver first doses to 91% of its population above 15 years and both to just 74%.


Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has also outperformed Maharashtra by giving both doses to almost 87% of its 15-plus population and at least one dose to 100%. West Bengal has gone ahead by achieving 81% double-dose coverage. Madhya Pradesh too has covered 97% of its population with at least one dose and 94% both. Among the most populous states, Bihar is the only one behind Maharashtra, having given 70.9% second doses and 83% single.

Dr Arora said a total of 1-1. 5 million doses are administered daily in the country and there is scope for improvement. "We will start discussions individually with states to improve the coverage of primary schedule, precautionary dose and for paediatric age groups," said the NTAGI chief. Dr Arora said the government may come out with some special social mobilisation campaigns after discussing it with states.

In Maharashtra, where daily immunisations have dropped to barely a lakh, the administration has asked districts to start door-to-door campaigns to deliver second and precautionary shots. More than 1.5 crore people have not taken the second shot. The precautionary dose coverage of seniors is above 70%.

Dr Sachin Desai, state immunisation officer, said the less enthusiastic response in the 15-17 age band has pulled down the overall state average to an extent; 65% have taken at least one dose and 45% both. In this age group, even well-performing districts such as Mumbai have seen a meek response-57% first dose and 44% both doses.

"After instructions from the Centre, we have asked districts to track those who have skipped their doses and vaccinate them by visiting homes," he said.

Districts officials said people are reluctant. "Migration for jobs, dip in viral activity and drop in Covid deaths have brought down the demand for vaccines," said Beed civil surgeon Dr Suresh Sable.