BMC to suspend vaccination drive until new stock arrives

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday, April 7, said that the vaccination centres that are recording a higher than expected turnout may be asked to suspend operations unless new stock arrives.

Even as it inaugurated its Central Storage Facility of Vaccines for COVID-19, with a capacity to store 1.2 crore doses, in Kanjurmarg, now the vaccine stock with BMC is very low.

BMC additional Commissioner Suresh Kakani had earlier said that they were expecting new consignment on Thursday, April 8. He had also stated that the stock currently available with them is negligible, it numbers hardly in a few thousand.

Henceforth, all stock will be sorted at and transported from the Kanjurmarg facility. A few doses will be kept at the Parel facility to provide easy access to the city areas, Kakani added.

According to reports, the facility had been lying unused for months. The BMC had then said that they did not want the burden of maintaining a facility that is not in use. However, with the state government appealing for more doses, the civic body is hopeful of getting a larger consignment.

Moreover, with the supply for coronavirus vaccinations running short, several districts have been forced to shut the vaccination process which includes Satara, Sangli, Navi Mumbai and Panvel.

NCP president Sharad Pawar stated the Centre has assured to help Maharashtra where the COVID-19 situation is currently "grim".

As per the latest reports, a total of 26 vaccination centres have been shut in Maharashtra today, April 8. In this regards, Rajesh Tope said that that they are waiting for more vaccine doses from the Centre and the Union health ministry has been informed. Of the centres that shut, 23 centres are located in Navi Mumbai.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, April 7, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar had warned that there is a possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Mumbai. According to reports, Akola, Yavatmal, Buldhana, and Washim, all in the Amravati division along with Nagpur Rural and the city’s Government Medical College have enough stock to last only one more day. If not replenished immediately, the state is to stop vaccinations from Thursday, April 8.