The Union government has denied reports that Maharashtra faces Covid-19 vaccines shortage  and the state government is unable to increase the pace of vaccination. “Such reports are ill informed and incorrect. It is clarified that as per the reports available today [January 14], Maharashtra has over 24 lakh unutilised doses of Covaxin with it. An additional 6.35 lakh doses have been received today,” said a release issued by the Public Information Bureau (PIB) on Friday.

The clarification comes in the wake of reports that appeared in the media, quoting some ministers who attended a review meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Maharashtra has accelerated its vaccination drive amidst the third Covid-19 wave and also stepped up the administering precautionary (booster) doses. The state and Centre have locked horns over the availability of vaccines in the past, especially last year. The MVA and BJP have been in a slugfest over the alleged shortage.