29 May,2021 04:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta Kasale
A stock shortage means the drive is moving at snail’s pace. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Mumbai's crawling vaccination drive further slowed down in May, delivering half the number of shots administered in April. Amid a supply crunch, the state government stopped the drive for citizens aged between 18-44, prompting them to visit private facilities. Compared to 12.75 lakh jabs given to citizens last month, the city immunised 6.61 lakh people between May 1 and May 27.
OF these, 1.2 lakh were given by private centres. The disturbing trend comes at a time when there has been a growing demand for the second dose. As per government data, an average 24,500 shots have been delivered daily this month, taking the overall doses to 30.9 lakh as of May 27. This month, the vaccination drive has taken many pauses due to the poor supply of vaccines.
Cyclone Tauktae also affected the programme as it brought along heavy rains and high winds that damaged a few Covid-19 centres in Mumbai. Of the doses given in this month, 3.9 lakh comprised the first shots administered to citizens, including lactating mothers. While the share of health workers shrunk, most shots were given to people in the 45+ category.
In the first 12 days, 3,531 from the 18-44 category had been inoculated at private facilities, but their number rose to 1.2 lakh by May 27 after the government diverted more vaccines for those needing the second shot.
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The share of private centres administering vaccines to the younger age group translates to about 75 per cent, shows the data. "We will not immediately start vaccination for the 18 to 44 age group. Our preference is to give the first dose to the age group of 45 to 59 years," said Dr Mangala Gomare, the executive health officer of the civic corporation. Officials said they need a steady supply of stock.
