The Maharashtra government has started flying COVID-19 vaccines in tribal areas to address the problems arising out of poor road connectivity and lack of reliable power supply to maintain the required cooling in the boxes carrying the vials. Since vaccines take up to five-six hours to reach certain ‘padas’ (tribal settlements) – a few hours’ drive combined with long treks on foot in dense forests, hills and rivers – from the nearest primary health centre, it is often compromised their effectiveness. ,