In order to meet the strong demand of people queueing up to get vaccinated amid a surge in the coronavirus cases in the city, the Bombay Hospital has sought BMC’s nod to carry out vaccination for extended hours till 10 pm.
According to the hospital administration, extending the time would allow many to come after office hours. However, BMC additional commissioner said that the Co-Win doesn’t allow sessions beyond 5 pm-6 pm and vaccines can’t be given on an offline mode as it will mean huge backend work.
Many centres too have said that they could start the drive early in the day and continue till late evening, BMC officials said.
Despite the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan’s assurance last week that the government has done away with the 9 am-5 pm time window and that recipient can take the vaccine round the clock, the change has not been completely implemented, said the BMC official.
Once the app shuts, the administration can’t check beneficiaries or administer doses. BMC had initiated to start vaccination in two shifts so more people could be covered, but due to the app restrictions it was not possible to do so, Kakani said, adding that Bombay Hospital was yet to submit a written request and the Centre’s nod would be needed.
Among civic centres, BKC jumbo hospital’s vaccination centre has the most footfalls at an average of 4,000 daily. People queue up from 6.30 am. If the app allows, the vaccination can start from 7 am and go on till 10 pm. Two shifts can double daily coverage, said hospital administration.
The BMC aims to increase the vaccination centres to 100 from 70. Mumbai’s centres administered a record number of 37,309 vaccine doses on Saturday, March 6. Civic officials said they are trying to push it to 50,000.
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