Amid Surge In COVID-19 Cases, Maharashtra Deputy CM Pawar Pushes For Mass Vaccination Of All Aged Above 18 In Pune

Amid a recent surge in the COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) Ajit Pawar has said that the state government would be approaching the Centre to urge for mass vaccination of people aged 18 and more in Pune, reports Times of India.

Stating that move had been suggested by medical experts, Dy CM Pawar also urged Members of Parliament (MPs) from Pune, Girish Bapat, Supriya Sule, Shrirang Barne and Amol Kolhe to submit the proposal to the Union Health Ministry in the Parliament.

Pressing that a policy change is required for Pune, and also for other districts in different states which are battling high positivity rates, Pawar asserted that a mass inoculation drive to vaccinate all above 18 years of age must be allowed immediately.

The push comes at a time when Maharashtra has been reporting a surge in daily cases. On Friday (12 March) alone, the state recorded 15,817 cases and 56 fatalities. Of these, the maximum number of cases were reported in Pune which registered 3,580 new cases.

It should be noted that in a bid to contain the situation, Pune has already curtailed the working hours of restaurants and hotels.