PUNE: Weekly Covid-19 vaccination coverage in Maharashtra has now dropped below levels that were seen in March last year, when drives first opened for general citizens.
More than 10 lakh jabs were administered during the March 6-12 week in 2021, when only certain age groups — 45-plus with comorbidities and the 60-plus — were eligible. But now, despite vaccine drives opening for everyone over 15, only 9.4 lakh shots were administered in the state during the week ending on March 4.
Covid vaccination was opened to everyone over 60 and those over 45 with comorbidities from March 1, 2021. Booster programmes began for healthcare, frontline workers and those over 60 with comorbidities from January 10 this year. Jabs started for the 15-18 group from January 3.
But data showed a steady fall in weekly and monthly vaccine coverage in Maharashtra. In September last year, a total of 7.61 lakh jabs were administered in the state. However, in October and November that number fell to 5 lakh. There was a small rise in December (6.25 lakh jabs), but that fell to 4.7 lakh in January.
And in February this year, the state recorded only 2.68 lakh vaccinations.
A senior official from the state health department said turnout has also dropped for precaution doses, but added that it was mainly due to the intense Omicron wave, which left thousands ineligible for a dose.
“They will all have to wait three months after infection to be eligible for a pending dose, as per rules. Once the three-month wait is over for many, vaccinations are bound to pick up again,” the official said.
Dr Anjali Tilekar, a medical officer with the PMC's Kothrud ward office, said footfalls have dropped for precaution doses, and among the 15-17 age group.
“The trend of low footfalls for vaccination has been more pronounced since the third wave started declining. It’s a repeat of last year, when the second wave started to ease,” she said.
Dr Tilekar added, “Another reason for falling vaccination numbers could be the ongoing HSC exams. Parents and students may not be stepping out for the jabs.”
She said demand for shots has fallen by nearly 70 to 80% within just a month.
The state has so far covered 91% of its eligible population over 18 with first shots, and 71.6% have received both doses.
In the 15-17 age group, Maharashtra has given the first dose to 60% of this population, and both doses to nearly 33%.
