The Maharashtra government on Friday announced that it would take back COVID-19 vaccines from private hospitals and administer these doses to people through state-run health centres only. State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the government has decided to do so it as per the Centre’s orders.

The Maharashtra government is going to take back the vaccines given to private hospitals for the inoculation drive as per the Centre’s orders. These vaccine doses will then be administered to beneficiaries through state-run hospitals and centres only.

Every state is reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases, which means more demand for vaccines, he said, adding that the central government needs to come up with some policy so that every state gets an equal share of doses.