COVID-19 vaccination is gaining momentum across the country and in Maharashtra too. Within Maharashtra, major cities are on top in number of doses administered so far. As per the official data, till April 3, of a total 73,47,429 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Maharashtra, as many as 15,19,646 were administered in Vidarbha region. Nagpur, the Second Capital of Maharashtra, ranked fourth in the number of vaccine doses administered in the State. Presently, at various Government, local body, and designated private centres, two COVID-19 vaccines are being administered. These are Covishield and Covaxin.

 

 

 

 

As per the Centre’s guidelines, vaccines are being administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers, people above 45 years of age. Till last month, people above 60 years of age, and those in the age-group of 45-60 years but having co-morbidities were being vaccinated. The vaccines are being administered in two doses, with specified gap between two doses. The official data reveals that till April 3, total 73,47,429 doses have been administered in Maharashtra. This number includes beneficiaries with first dose, and both doses. In the State, Nagpur district ranks fourth in number of vaccine doses administered till April 3. As many as 4,67,513 doses have been administered in the district. Mumbai tops the chart in the State with 13,32,334 doses, followed by Pune with 9,74,720 doses, and Thane with 5,35,117 doses.

 

Hingoli district, with only 41,436 doses administered so far, is at the bottom of the chart covering 36 districts in Maharashtra. Gadchiroli, one of the most backward districts of Maharashtra, ranks second lowest in chart with only 42,666 doses administered to beneficiaries so far. As far as Vidarbha region is concerned, Nagpur district tops the chart with 4,67,513 doses. It is followed remotely by Amravati district with 1,49,773 doses. Of total 11 districts in the region, one has registered beneficiaries above four lakh, five have beneficiaries above one lakh, and remaining five have administered less than one lakh doses.

 

Of the five districts in the region with less than one lakh doses, three (Gondia, Wardha, and Gadchiroli) are in Nagpur Division, and two (Akola and Washim) are in Amravati Division. The vaccination received a cautious response from the people of Vidarbha initially. In the past few days, however, it has picked up pace. On April 3, Nagpur district saw 41,556 doses administered to eligible beneficiaries. Thus, of cumulative vaccination total of 4,67,513, Nagpur district recorded 8.88 per cent on April 3 alone. Similar is the case with most of the districts not only in Vidarbha but across the State.