MUMBAI: The state will start vaccinating people between the ages of 30-44 from Saturday over a month after free immunisation for the younger groups were put on hold. In Mumbai, vaccination for this age group will take place at 10 centres through online appointments, the BMC said.
Till now, those between 18-44 years could only get vaccinated at the private vaccination centres after the government suspended immunisation for them on May 12 to prioritise those due for their second dose and for people above 45 years. Dr Archana Patil, director of state health services, confirmed the state has about 15 lakh doses to sustain the drive. The state has been vaccinating an average of 2.9 lakh people in the past one week.
In Mumbai, vaccination for the 18-44 category crossed the one million mark on Friday—a milestone since the drive opened for them on May 1.
Mumbai has nearly 59 lakh people in the age bracket of 18-44 years, of whom around 31 lakh are aged between 30-44 years.
Of the 10.1 lakh doses administered in the 18-44 category, though, more than 9.1 lakh has been in the private sector. The vaccine inequity became pronounced in June when most vaccinations happened in private centres with the cost of a dose ranging from Rs 780 to Rs 1,400. Age groups under 30 years can continue to get vaccinated at private centres.
In Mumbai, vaccination for those between 30-44 years will take place at Priyadarshani Park (Walkeshwar), BMC Murli Deora Eye Hospital (Kamathipura), Acworth Leprosy (Wadala), Seth Ayurvedic (Sion), Bandra Bhabha (Bandra), M W Desai (Malad), Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule (Borivli), Jolly Gymkhana (Ghatkopar), Deonar Maternity Home (Govandi) and V D Savarkar (Mulund).
Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC’s executive health officer said vaccination will be only through online appointments on Saturday. On Friday, 61,710 people got vaccinated, taking the count of Mumbaikars vaccinated with one dose to almost 43.9 lakh.
Health minister Rajesh Tope said vaccination of citizens above 45 years of age will continue as well. The public health department had submitted a proposal in May asking for sequential vaccination for 18-44 so that those at higher risk of severe Covid and death could get fully vaccinated first. Dr Patil said changes will be made in the Co-Win app so that the default minimum age is changed to 30 years.
