Concerned about the gender disparity in vaccination data, BMC plans to dedicate one day a week just for vaccinations of women. BMC says around 43 per cent of the total vaccinated population is women. Doctors say women avoid vaccines because of various reasons. While pregnant women fear it will affect their unborn child, and others wonder if it will mess with the menstrual cycle, daily wage workers say they can’t afford to miss a day’s work and home chores due to the resulting fever. Sunday mid-day also reported on the gender gap in vaccinations, Mind the Gap, on September 5.

Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner said, “We have noticed that fewer women are getting vaccinated. We have directed our ward officers to decide on a day in their respective wards when only women can come for vaccination.” He said that they have observed that women usually prefer to go to vaccination camps near their house or to a place where the process is more streamlined and where they do not have to wait. “Our aim is to vaccinate 100 per cent of the population with the first dose and at least 50 per cent of the population with the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by November-end or December,” said Kakani.