15 July,2021 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Chetna Sadadekar
A woman gets the shot at Asha Samaj Kalyan Kendra in Govandi on Wednesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Even as the civic body wants to vaccinate over 90 lakh citizens above the age of 18 years, hardly 15 per cent of the population in this age group has been fully vaccinated so far. The BMC had expected to fully vaccinate 70 to 80 per cent of this population by September or October to blunt the third Covid-19 wave. But the shortage of vaccines and the resultant dip in vaccinations seem to have dashed those hopes.
On the other hand, more than 54 per cent of the eligible population has been vaccinated with the first dose.
With the city yet to open up officially, a high number of fully vaccinated people would have been helpful for the BMC to relax Covid-related curbs, officials said. Although vaccination numbers are not the only factor in opening up the city, it would have helped make a decision faster.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani, said, "More than 54 per cent of the eligible population has been administered the first dose and we are hoping that their immunity, too, has started to kick in. And we are sure those who are completing their 84 days after the first dose are turning up in large numbers."
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A man gets vaccinated at Asha Samaj Kalyan Kendra in Govandi on Wednesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Currently, there are over 13 lakh fully vaccinated citizens and over 48 lakh citizens who have got their first dose.
"The increased period between two doses of Covishield vaccine has also led to a lower number of fully vaccinated citizens," a civic official said.
Another senior civic official added, "The third wave is likely to hit whenever curbs are lifted - since this will result in crowds and large gatherings. Vaccination was our key to overcome this problem. But the limited supply of doses has translated into slower vaccination of citizens, throwing our plans out of gear."
A total of 62.33 lakh doses have been administered so far, out of which almost 58 lakh doses are of Covishield. There are only 11 lakh beneficiaries who have got both doses of Covishield, while 46 lakh are waiting for the second one.
Civic officials added that many Mumbai residents also went to nearby areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to get their shots and many from these areas came to the city for their vaccinations. While the former category has not been counted in the city's vaccination numbers, the latter category has been factored in. "Factoring them or not does not make much difference because people keep travelling between cities in the MMR. Anyone entering Mumbai and being vaccinated is a plus for us," a civic official said.
Another official added, "We cannot open up the city completely unless there is a decision on reopening locals for everyone. For instance, if malls and shops are completely opened, the staff would need trains to travel to work. In the absence of trains, putting full pressure on road transport won't be possible. Hence, we are waiting for directives from the State."
Meanwhile, the city saw 65,244 beneficiaries getting inoculated on Wednesday. The number of senior citizens inoculated was 7,805, of citizens above the age of 45 years was 24,941 and of those in the age group of 18 to 44 years was 30,299.
The civic body is also going to start the vaccination drive free of cost for pregnant women at 35 of its vaccine centres on Thursday.
54
Per cent of eligible city population that has got the first vax dose
58
No. of Covishield doses (in lakhs) administered so far
11
No. of fully vaxxed (in lakhs) given Covisheild
