Availability of Covid vaccine big question, says Maharashtra Home Minister on vaccination from May 1

Maharashtra minister said Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have not yet responded to the state’s query for the supply of vaccine doses ahead of the May 1 vaccination phase.

Ahead of the next phase of vaccination drive from May 1, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Tuesday that the availability of the Covid-19 vaccine is a big question. “We welcome the decision of the Centre to vaccinate citizens of 18 years and above. Maharashtra will need 12 crore doses. We have written to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech but haven’t received a reply,” Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said. Rajesh Tope added that the state government was unofficially told by the Serum Institute that their stock is booked by the Centre till May 20.