COVID-19: Low footfall makes it easy for citizens at BKC Jumbo on day 1 of vaccination for people above 45 yrs

Scene at BKC Jumbo Centre on first day of inoculation of people above 45. Pics/Anurag Ahire

The government's decision to inoculate people older than 45 years did not trigger serpentine queues on the first day at the BKC Jumbo Centre, one of the most sought after vaccine delivery points in the city. Doctors at the otherwise busy centre said they have so far immunised over 1.1 lakh people. When mid-day visited the BKC centre, there was a sparse crowd at its huge waiting area which also meant that citizens did not face any hurdles with registration and vaccine administration. There was barely any waiting time.

To minimise any kind of adverse effect, the beneficiaries were given four tablets each and told to take them over the next two days. Doctors said the tablets have no side effects. Most of the vaccine-seekers had come for the first dose. The observation room for receivers of the second dose was completely vacant.

The BMC too seemed to have learnt from its past mistakes as overcrowding of senior citizens had led to huge chaos earlier. Civic authorities have added five more vaccination units at the centre to the existing 20. Apart from having more registration points, authorities have also increased the timing from 8am to 9 pm. Powai resident Marina Don, 54, said, "I had registered on the portal about a week back and I got today's appointment. I was done with my vaccination within 10 minutes." She received a dose of Covishield.

Marina Don, Powai resident

Alwin Fernandes, 46, had come to the BKC centre from Santacruz. "I had come here a few days back but I was not allowed entry as I was not in the permitted age group. Today I walked in, got myself registered and was given the jab immediately," he said.

Dadar resident Kamal Singhania, 52, said it was just like any other injection and he did not face any inconvenience. "As we had already registered, we were directed to the booth to get vaccinated. After waiting for 20 minutes in the observation room we were allowed to go," said Singhania.

The scene was quite similar at BMC hospitals and other vaccine centres between Bandra and Andheri.