No vaccination drive in Mumbai on May 17

Over the weekend, on May 15 and 16, 2021, Mumbai was hit by Cyclone Tauktae and based on the warning given by IMD, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday, May 14, 2021, informed the citizens that the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination drive across the city, run by the government hospitals, was cancelled, keeping the safety in mind.

Following this, BMC, again on May 16, 2021, shared the information that the vaccination would be suspended for one more day, i.e., on May 17, due to the cyclone. Details regarding the same were shared by BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, who further added that vaccinations will begin from Tuesday, May 18, and will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, i.e., May 19 and 20 as well.

BMC took to Twitter to confirm the same, with a message that read, "In view of the warning of high intensity cyclone issued by IMD, the vaccination program scheduled on Monday (17th May) stands cancelled at all MCGM & public vaccination centres.  We request Mumbaikars to stay indoors and stay safe."

In view of the warning of high intensity cyclone issued by IMD, the vaccination program scheduled on Monday (17th May) stands cancelled at all MCGM & public vaccination centres.

We request Mumbaikars to stay indoors and stay safe#MyBMCVaccinationUpdate#CycloneTauktae

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) May 16, 2021

Furthermore, IMD also warned that the cyclone would intensify further on Monday and certain cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat would experience "very severe cyclonic storm" as it crosses Porbandar and Mahuva on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, BMC officials also took strict measures to shift COVID-19 patients to safer areas during the cyclone, and as per the reports shared by the civic body, a total of 580 patients were shifted from Covid care facility keeping the precautions in mind.

On the other hand, as per the instructions given by the local administration, only health care workers and frontline workers will be given the second dose of Covishield vaccine currently, understanding the gap between first and second dose. Adding more, Chahal said that the central government has issued directives for the second dose of Covishield, and the decisions are being taken basis the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry keeping the gap 12 to 16 weeks in mind between both the doses.

Furthermore, the civic body has also permitted walk-in for citizens over 60 years of age to take the first dose of vaccine.