<span style="color: #222222;">Due to limited availability of Covaxin, the Maharashtra Government has decided that people in the age group of 18-44 will no longer be administered the Bharat Biotech made indigenous vaccine. Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope today said that close to five lakh people are awaiting their second dose of Covaxin while 16 lakh others are due to receive their second dose of Covishield vaccine. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Stating that the priority is to administer second doses to all eligible people, Mr. Tope said the state may reduce slots for the 18 plus age category in the coming days if the state COVID task force is comfortable with the decision.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports, Maharashtra's health minister Rajesh Tope today said that about three lakh doses procured for the 18-44 age group will be diverted for the use of people above 45, who are awaiting their second dose of Covaxin. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Tope informed that more than five lakh people from the 45 age category are awaiting their second dose. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The minister said it is important to administer the dose within the stipulated four to six weeks time to ensure that the vaccine's efficacy remains unaffected. Maharashtra has so far inoculated 1.8 crore people, including about 4.5 lakh people from the 18 plus age category. </span><br />''