BMC’s new vaccination guidelines receive flak from students, mothers

Beneficiaries get jabbed at a Covid-19 drive-in vaccination centre in Growel’s 101 Mall in Kandivli on Saturday evening. Pic/Satej Shinde

New vaccine guidelines issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday have received flak from all corners.

The civic body released a circular, stating that it will allow walk-ins for those aged 45 years and above at various public vaccination centres from Monday to Wednesday. It further stated that all beneficiaries of second dose will also be allowed to do a walk-in without prior appointment. As a relief for many students looking to fly abroad to pursue higher education, the BMC made an exception and allowed them to get vaccinated at Kasturba Hospital, Rajawadi Hospital and Cooper Hospital from Monday to Wednesday. But this move has raised eyebrows among students.

Students think it is "too little, too late", as they won't be able to get both the jabs before flying abroad. According to rules, the second dose of Covishield is to be taken only after 84 days, which the students feel is too long a wait before they leave the country for the semester.

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They took to Twitter to share their concerns. Neel Gudka (@neelgudka13) tweeted, "This is a great initiative. However, is this going to be Covishield or Covaxin? In case of Covishield, students starting in fall this year don't really have the time to wait 84 days for the second dose."

Jash Sheth (@jashsheth) said, "For those of us who have to travel in 4-5 weeks, is there a possibility to reduce the Covishield duration for second dose? The current 84-day duration would make it difficult to take both doses before travelling."

Referring his tweet to Aaditya Thackeray, minister for environment, tourism and protocol, Zaid (@ZaidWahidi) shared, "Aditya, another issue is the time gap. For example, I got my first dose on 11 May but my second dose is now August 2 as per the 12 weeks gap rule. My course starts on August 2, which will force me to take a new vaccine in the US. Anyway to restore the old six-week gap for us?"

The civic body's circular also mentioned that lactating mothers, who delivered less than a year ago, will be allowed to take the jab. This has not gone too well with mothers as paediatricians advise them to breastfeed for almost two years.

One such mother, who did not wish to be named, said, "I have been feeding my child for more than a year, and when I checked with my doctor, she advised that I continue this till my child turns two. But, with the BMC allowing only mothers who delivered less than a year ago to get vaccinated, where should mothers like me go?"

Thackeray immediately took to Twitter to respond to these concerns. He tweeted, "We have received multiple queries with regard to the gap between the two doses and the scheduled/ possible departure of students for overseas universities. Since it is a medical advice, @mybmc will discuss with the concerned authorities for the same to assist the students."