Addressing the state on the eve of Foundation Day, Uddhav Thackeray also asked people to be careful against possible third wave
Uddhav Thackeray
Vaccinations for people aged between 18 and 44 years will take off from Saturday but the state has received only three lakh doses for the programme, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday. He requested the ‘young and restless’ to be patient and wait for their turn as and when the supplies become available. Thackeray said this during an address on the eve of the state’s foundation day.
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A woman reads the notice that says vaccination has stopped at the V D Savarkar Hospital, Mulund East due to the shortage of vaccines, on Friday. Pic/Sameer Markande
He said the state was ready to make a one-time payment to the manufacturers who have assured supplies of 12 crore doses required for the 18-44 group. “We will be getting only 18 lakh doses in May. In addition we have got 3 lakh which have been distributed for the May 1 inaugural. Actually we cater to 10 lakh people daily, but the vaccination will solely depend on the supplies,” Thackeray said, urging the people to not make vaccination centres ‘super spreaders’ by crowding them without registration. Vaccination for those above 45 will continue as per the Centre’s guidelines.
Third wave expected
Thackeray assured all efforts to protect people against the third wave of the COVID-19 and explained to the restive population the yield of lockdown-like measures which have been extended till May 15.
“Imagine what would be the state’s situation if the restrictions were not enforced. The restrictions have definitely steadied our caseload at 6.5 lakh, which in absence of harsher restrictions could have been anywhere between 9 and 10 lakh. The critics who opposed the lockdown should also understand the gain,” he said, cautioning the state against the third wave.
Vaccination for those above 45 will continue as per the Centre’s guidelines. File pic/Suresh Karkera
“Experts expect the third wave. It’s a global phenomenon and fighting it depends on our efforts. We have started preparing for any eventuality even while we are tackling the second wave,” he said.
The CM said the Bombay High Court has asked the state whether the restrictions need to be made even harsher. “But I think no such need will arise. But for that the people should cooperate,” he stated. The CM listed relief measures taken for the people who have lost wages because of the lockdown.
Answering the critics who have been questioning his performance in the COVID-19 year, the CM read out a statistical comparison of the facilities created since last June. He dealt with the issues faced in increasing oxygen supplies from within and outside Maharashtra. “We are trying to be self-reliant in oxygen. The preparations will be useful in mitigating the third wave,” he said.
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