There was hesitancy about taking the anti-COVID-19 vaccines in Muslim-dominated areas in Maharashtra said Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope, for this the government has decided to take the help of Bollywood Megastar Salman Khan to convince people to take the vaccine shots.
Speaking to the reporters on Monday, Tope said, Maharashtra is leading in terms of the number of vaccine shots administered, but in some areas, the speed of vaccination is quite low.
“There is still some hesitancy in Muslim-dominated areas. We have decided to use Salman Khan and religious leaders to convince the Muslim community to take the vaccine,” he said.
“Religious leaders and film actors wield great influence and people listen to them,” he added.
So far over 10.25 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the state, and by the end of November all eligible persons will have got at least the first shot of the vaccine, said the minister.
About the possibility of a third wave of the viral infection, Tope said as per the experts the pandemic has a seven-month cycle, but due to large-scale vaccination, the next wave would not be severe.
People should follow the coronavirus updates safety protocol and get inoculated, he added.
