Don't use different mobile numbers to book vaccination, says BMC; Twitter hits back

A woman gets vaccinated at the newly-opened centre at a municipal school in Sion. Pic/Suresh Karkera

If you have been using two different mobile numbers to secure a vaccine appointment, then don't. The BMC on Saturday tweeted that appointments being booked from two different numbers for two doses have yielded beneficiaries with two first-dose certificates. It further appealed to citizens to not try this ‘jugaad', but instead use the same mobile number to make appointments for both the doses.

The BMC's tweet read: "Dear Mumbaikar, a gentle reminder. Always use the same number to book both the doses. Else you will land in another complication just having conquered one! Please DO NOT use different numbers to book the first and the second dose."

This has, however, irked those who have been struggling to secure an appointment as there are no slots available owing to the vaccine shortage in the city. Richard Rodrigues (@mydayneverends) tweeted to the BMC, "This should have been informed two months back. Not now when the damage has been done. Shows how efficient you are. Please immediately publish this in local newspapers for the information of citizens."

Also Read: Mumbai: Mulund Cooperative Housing Society vaccinates residents

The BMC was questioned by a citizen on what would happen if the appointments booked with two different numbers are giving two first dose certificates to the same person. This was when the warning tweet was posted by the BMC.

Slamming the civic body, a twitterati BrinL (@BrinL_) tweeted saying, "Okay @mybmc thank you for using my tweet to inform others on what not to do (in the future), but I'd still like a solution here for my parents and all those who've ALREADY got their second dose with another first dose certificate."

No vaccine on Sunday: BMC

No vaccination drive will be held on Sunday, the BMC said on Saturday. A total of 25,510 beneficiaries were inoculated at several civic government and private vaccination centres on Saturday. The turnout of senior citizens was 3,966, whereas those aged 45 and above was 14,054. The number of healthcare workers that were administered vaccine shots was barely 297 and that of the frontline workers was 35. A total of 7,158 people between 18 and 44 received shots at private hospitals. BMC has reiterated that walk-ins at centers have been shut and only appointments are allowed for 45-plus age group.