COVID-19: Hope vaccine supply starts soon, we need it, say Mumbaikars

Vaccination drive at Nesco jumbo covid-19 center in Goregaon. Pic/Sameer Markande

The news of vaccine shortage drove hordes of people to vaccination centres on Thursday but by afternoon, many walk-in candidates were turned away by centres across the city after running out of doses.

Vaccination centres across the city, both private and government-run, saw huge crowds on Thursday and many stopped accepting walk-in candidates in the afternoon amid the vaccine shortage. People ventured to vaccination centres as walk-ins as a result of the news of the shortage and the war of words between the state and the centre on Wednesday.

People seen waiting for vaccination at the NESCO centre

BKC Jumbo COVID Centre

At the BKC Jumbo COVID Centre's vaccination centre, there were over 200 unregistered people waiting in the queue for vaccination. Sanjay Manjrekar, 52, a Dombivli resident came to Bandra Kurla Complex as he could not get a vaccine in the city where he resides.

Manjrekar said, "The civic vaccination centre in Dombivli had limited vaccines because of which I have come to BKC. There was some crowd when I came but the authorities are managing it very well. I finally got my first jab.

Satish and Manorama Kakanji returned without a vaccine

Satish and Manorama Kakanji had come from Ghatkopar but since they were unregistered, they had to return without the jab. Satish said, "There are some vaccination centres in our area, too. But seeing the news about a possible shortage of vaccines, we decided to rush to BKC and use the walk-in facility. But when we reached here in the afternoon, we were told that only registered people will get the shot. We hope that the shortage is resolved soon."

NESCO Jumbo COVID Centre, Goregaon

At NESCO Jumbo COVID Centre's vaccination centre, hundreds of people were seen waiting in long queues. However, decent arrangements prevented the situation from becoming chaotic. Frontline workers, senior citizens, registered recipients and walk-in recipients were all in separate queues.

The centre at Nanavati hospital stopped walk-in vaccinations in the afternoon. Pics/Sameer Markande

Some people had come to NESCO after being turned away by private centres that closed walk-in facilities. Madhumati Satam, 78, and Sujit Satam, 51, residents of Charkop had gone to Shivam Hospital in Charkop, Kandivli but were turned away.

Sujit said, "We had read about the issue of shortage so we came to the NESCO centre. Many people had come to take the vaccine but the staff was helpful. They provided my mother with a wheelchair and vaccinated us on priority."

Vineet Shah

Ashok Parmar, 54, a Goregaon resident had to wait for nearly two hours. He said, "I came with my wife here because NESCO is one of the biggest facilities. I am happy that they let us in although we are unregistered. I hope the shortage issue is resolved at the earliest."

Vineet Shah, 45, a Malad resident said, "The NESCO centre closed walk-in vaccination at 4 pm. Thank god I came on time. I am sure I will get the vaccine."

Nanavati hospital

Nanavati hospital's vaccination centre in Vile Parle on Thursday afternoon had a long queue at the gate where registration happens. Sources said only registered recipients were let in as the walk-in facility was closed by afternoon.

George Fernandes, who took the vaccine, said, "I am glad that my children registered my name for the vaccination and I was able to get a dose today. But I had to wait for five hours. I am happy with the arrangement.

Cooper hospital

At Andheri's Cooper hospital, many registered recipients were seen in the waiting area and no walk-ins were allowed. Those who came as walk-ins were unhappy over being unable to get the vaccine and about their time having been wasted. Among these were three central government employee, too.

A staffer at the vaccination centre, who did not wish to be named, said, "Since yesterday, the state and the central government have been debating over the shortage of vaccines. Many people have turned up today because of this but were not able to get registered through the walk-in facility. We expect the shortage to be sorted soon."

City's biggest railway hospital stops drive

One of the city's biggest railway hospitals, Jagjivan Ram Hospital at Mumbai Central, has started running out of vaccines.

"Those who had taken prior appointments were sent a text message on Wednesday that their confirmed appointments had been cancelled as the BMC had failed to update on the supply to the hospital and that no vaccine is available," a senior official said.

On Central Railway, though supplies had not run out completely on Thursday, the stocks ran low.

On Central Railway's Mumbai division, there are about 32,500 employees, and over 5,000 have been vaccinated, with 350 being vaccinated daily. The target is to vaccinate over 500 every day at units in Byculla, Kalyan and Thane and open more centres at Igatpuri, Panvel and Parel. Overall, 25 per cent of the total staff has been vaccinated and over 60 per cent is in the eligible 45+ years category.

On the Western Railway, over 13,163 employees have been vaccinated with about 2,514 vaccinated at Jagjivan Ram Hospital and 1,136 being in Mumbai division.

By Rajendra B. Aklekar