Due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Maharashtra, the inoculation drive in Mumbai was adversely affected in the last week with many private centres being shut down.
However, earlier this week, many vaccination centres were opened after the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received the jabs. However, the vaccination has not yet resumed its pace after the weekend-long halt.
Speaking to Mumbai Live on the current situation of vaccination storage in the city, Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said: “As the Maharashtra government is getting the jabs, it is further distributing to us a little more than other cities. Last week, we faced an extreme shortage of jabs, as a result, the inoculation had to be stopped. But, now we have enough doses to continue the drive. Moreover, we have a five-storey vaccine storage facility in Kanjurmarg east. The centre has the capacity to hold 1.20 crore vaccines. So, accordingly, as the government sends us we can store it without any hassle.”
According to reports, the inoculation drive picked up soon after it resumed on Monday, April 12. Therefore, the BMC aims to further increase the number of beneficiaries to 1 lakh daily.
Meanwhile, it is being observed that the registrations were being carried out at the hospitals and people were asked to wait in the queues with uncertainty whether the vaccines will be given to beneficiaries or not.
“A few days ago, I had specifically pointed out and urged the citizens to first confirm their registrations at the hospital and then only leave the home. However, if any hospitals are still violating the norms, one can register a complaint with us through Whatsapp or Twitter and we will do an investigation and take action against them,” assured Pednekar.
Besides, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday, April 13, announced to impose section 144 across the state to curb the spread of the virus.
On being asked whether the lockdown-like restrictions will impact the vaccination drive, the mayor explained, “Since the restrictions are being done online and confirmation is being sent to the beneficiaries, it would not hamper the COVID-related norms. Hence, the vaccination can take place smoothly like before.”
On Wednesday, April 14, 43,234 people were vaccinated taking the total count to nearly 18 lakhs.
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