Maharashtra Government will implement a special vaccination drive for college students from 25th October to 2nd November. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai today, Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the programme is being implemented to speed up vaccinations of 18 individuals. It may be noted that colleges and universities in Maharashtra reopened yesterday.<br />''There are close to 40 lakh students in Maharashtra, including all those pursuing higher education, technical education, medical studies or are enrolled in non-affiliated and private colleges. The government plans to register details of all these students and their vaccination status in the next three days and accordingly plan special drives in their institutes. Simultaneously, teachers and staff members will also be vaccinated.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Mr. Tope said vaccination, especially among youth as they need to travel the most, is need of the hour. He said most restrictions have been removed and hence it is necessary to ensure that  spread of infection is controlled via vaccination. The minister further announced that universities that perform well in these vaccination drives will be rewarded for their efforts.</span><br />