Mumbai: With Vaccination Slots Hard To Come By, Many Flock to Rural Areas for Their Jabs

Although vaccine supply is picking up slowly, several districts across Maharashtra are still unable to procure them in enough quantities to inoculate everybody. This is particularly the case in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) especially since vaccinations began for people between the ages of 18-44 earlier this month. 

Indian Express reports that some city residents are countering the shortage in Mumbai by heading over to the rural portions of MMR for their vaccine shots, leading to anger and frustration from the local residents. 

People from towns like Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali in the 18-44 age group are reportedly travelling to places like Shahapur and Murbad (Thane district) for their jabs. 

“I got to know through Aarogya Setu that slots were available here. I travelled two hours to get here,” one Thane resident said. 

Read - COVID-19: Maharashtra Receives 10 Lakh Covishield Vaccines

Health officials in the region are aware of this issue. Medical Officer at the Shendrun PHC, Dr Rupali Shendge said, “We opened vaccination for 18-44 years recently and there is a big rush. Many from Mumbai come here, and locals object. Often there is tension at the centre. I have told my district health officer about the problems. I have seen people come in fancy cars and I tell them to go to private hospitals so that the poor can benefit.”

It is said that local tribal community members have complained to the officials at Shendrun about people from the city receiving their jabs. A similar story emerged from Murbad which has seen a vaccination site erected at the government guesthouse. 

Also read - COVID-19 Vaccination: Maharashtra Govt Halts Covaxin Jab For 18-44 Age Group

“Vaccination has begun for the 18-44 group and online registration is mandatory and open to all in Maharashtra. On day one, 200 people registered and 170 were from Panvel, Vasai and Mumbai. We have to give more priority to locals now,” Medical Officer at Murbad, Dr Kalpana Aher said.

The concern has also reached the upper echelons of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Executive Health Officer at the BMC, Dr Mangala Gomare said, “I have examples of people coming from other cities and taking jabs in Mumbai. In Mumbai, people from posh areas book slots in areas like Shivaji Nagar, Mankhurd and Govandi as people there are not so tech savvy.”

Read - Over 5 Lakh Beneficiaries Of Age Group 18 To 44 Years Vaccinated So Far In Maharashtra