Board examinees at Dahisar centre relieved after getting jabbed ahead of exams

A student comforts another as she is vaccinated against Covid, at Dahisar jumbo centre, on Monday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

The mood at the Dahisar jumbo Covid-19 centre was mostly cheerful on Monday morning, as most of the beneficiaries were students scheduled to write their board exams, which will be held offline. Sangeeta Bhul, 15, Std IX student from Bharucha Secondary BMC School, was the first to get the shot at the Dahisar centre. While BMC-run schools brought their students to the centre on board buses, several parents accompanied their children to get them immunised against Covid-19. However, parents were not allowed inside the premises, to the vaccination booths.

One of the parents, Rama Thakur, said, "Now that the vaccine was rolled out for kids, we wanted to take the benefit as soon as possible." Sisters Mahima and Isa Khatri, Std XII and X students, respectively, said that it was important for them to get vaccinated, as their board exam is going to be offline. "It was a smooth process. However, I wish parents were allowed inside. They are waiting for us outside," said Isa.

While most youngsters were there after booking a slot online, walk-ins were also allowed, but they had a longer wait. For BMC school students, there was a separate line and booths, as schools were given the responsibility to bring them in batches of 50. "We all were called to schools, from where we got on a bus that brought us to the centre. It is good that this was done through the school, otherwise, registering on the portal and then getting vaccinated could have become a difficult task," said Sangeeta.

"The idea is that our students do not have to individually register for vaccination. Respective schools will take the responsibility. Two BEST buses are given for transportation of these students," said Samsher Singh, principal of Bharucha Secondary BMC School, Dahisar. A total of 500 BMC school students were vaccinated at the Dahisar centre on the first day.

Ishita Bane, 15, who had walked in for her shot, had to wait for a couple of hours. "I wanted to see if a walk-in was possible. I came to the centre around 9.30 am. I was allowed entry with the first lot around 11 am. But once I was inside, the process was fast and smooth," said Ishita, a student of Mary Immaculate School, Borivli.

Medical Officer Dr Aishwarya Jamnare said, "We have a separate hall for children's vaccination so that there is absolutely no confusion. We have a total of four booths. While two are dedicated to BMC school students, the remaining are for individuals coming on their own. This ensures the waiting period is reduced, as maintaining safe physical distance is equally important."

500
No. of BMC school students vaxxed on Day 1