BKC Jumbo COVID Centre: Enthusiastic seniors eagerly take the jab

A senior citizen is administered the vaccine on Monday at the BKC Jumbo COVID vaccination centre. Pic/Shadab Khan

The vaccination drive for senior citizens started on Monday and mid-day visited the vaccination centre at BKC to see the response. Overall there was a good response from senior citizens but at the start of the day, there was chaos at some centres which normalised later. By the end of the day the process for vaccinations of health, front line workers and senior citizens was streamlined.

Sarsawati Somaya gets her first dose of the vaccine at the Mulund Jumbo COVID Centre on Monday. Pic/Sameer Markande

This reporter met some senior citizens at the Bandra-Kurla Complex vaccination centre who complained they were unable to register on the CoWin app and had arrived there directly. However, outside the centre there was a registration desk where every senior citizen who arrived could get registered.

Attention to procedures
The staff involved in the vaccination process made sure that every senior citizen wore a proper mask and carried out thermal scanning for his/her body temperature. Staff also made sure that post vaccination senior citizens sat in the observation area. The staff and doctors interacted with them to know if they had any complaints related to vaccination.

‘Waiting for my turn'
Recipients were happy with the care given by the staff. Talking to mid-day, Mohan Kuwalkar, 91, a vaccine recipient said, "I have been waiting for my turn to get the vaccine and finally I took it. It is completely safe and senior citizens should take the vaccine. I am also happy with the arrangements made by the authorities and it is good to see that they are taking additional care of senior citizens."

Some senior citizens faced technical glitches while trying to register themselves online. Hemant Luthra, 71, said, "As I faced technical glitches I came here directly. The staff here was very helpful and they registered me and I took the vaccine. I think without any fear, senior citizens should come forward and take the vaccine as it is completely safe."