UP, Maharashtra may bear maximum cost of Covid-19 vaccination: Analysts

According to sources in companies, vaccine makers get regular queries from state governments but the distribution is done according to a quota decided by the Centre

As Covid-19 vaccination picks up in the 18-44 age group states are scrambling to procure doses, with analysts predicting that the likes of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra would bear the maximum costs on account of their demographics.

Maharashtra managed to procure only 2.5 million vaccine doses in May for this population segment — which is estimated to be 55 million in the state.

“This is according to the allotment done by the Centre. The Centre decides how much each state can buy, and this is also linked to vaccine production,” a senior state government official said.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai civic