The BMC vaccination centres are getting more footfall of 12-17 age group beneficiaries compared to government and private vaccination centers
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As Mumbai reports an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases over the past few days, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is trying to improve vaccine coverage for youngsters by reaching out to housing societies and school authorities. According to the BMC officials, they have written letters to the housing societies and schools in Mumbai to vaccinate youngsters in the 12-17 age group.
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While the BMC has shut down 54 per cent of its vaccination centres due to low footfall, it is now focusing on setting up camps in housing societies and schools to reach out to the young beneficiaries at the local level. Currently, only 96 vaccination centres of BMC are active compared to 209 vaccination centres that were active during the second week of March.
Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC's executive health officer, public health department, says, “Even if the number of Covid-19 cases is increasing, there is no increase in the number of hospitalised patients in the city. Almost all cases are asymptomatic. We are trying to increase the coverage of first dose vaccination for the 12-17 age group beneficiaries. While exams in most of the schools are over, we are trying to appeal to school authorities again, to receive the lists of beneficiaries who want to get vaccinated in schools. This will help us to set up camps at schools accordingly."
On May 10, 122 Covid-19 cases were reported in Mumbai out of which 120 were asymptomatic.
She adds, "Besides schools, we have also written to the housing societies in Mumbai. If any society has 15-20 children in the 12-17 years age group, who are willing to take the vaccine, they can contact their BMC ward office to set up a vaccination drive in their society."
Speaking about how the BMC is trying to tackle increasing cases, Dr Gomare adds, "We are now concentrating more on suspected cases due to which the numbers of testing will increase again. We are trying to reach out to as many suspected patients as possible with the help of general practitioners. In order to take steps to prevent the fourth wave, the civic body is emphasising screening, testing, treatment, and vaccination."
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