Covid-19: 169 inmates get jab at Mumbai Central jail

An inmate gets vaccinated at the centre on the jail premises

On the first day of the inoculation drive to be conducted at the vaccination centre set up at Mumbai Central (Arthur Road) jail, 169 prisoners received the jab on Tuesday. This centre has been set up based on the guidelines of the central government related to vaccinating those who do not have valid identity cards. This group includes homeless people, saints, prisoners, people living in mental health centres or rehabilitation centres, senior citizens living in old age homes and beggars.

Earlier, about 242 inmates of Mumbai Central (Arthur Road) jail were vaccinated at Kasturba Hospital as they had identity cards. However, in order to solve the problem related to ID cards, a separate immunisation centre has been set up at the jail premises itself. The vaccination centre has all the necessary facilities, including medical backup and other manpower. For this, the BMC got support from Mumbai Project, a non-governmental organisation.

Requesting anonymity, a BMC official said, "As the inmates of the jail are getting vaccinated, it will be possible to prevent the spread of Covid-19 on the premises. It will also save the police the stress of taking the inmates to a hospital and get them vaccinated."

Also Read: Mumbai: Upset shopkeepers say current timings impractical; demand 5-day weeks, afternoon work hours