Mumbai: Now, seniors can walk in on 3 days next week for their second vaccine dose

People get vaccinated at the MMRC Dedicated Covid-19 Health Centre at Ketkipada, Dahisar, on Wednesday. Pic/Satej Shinde

A new circular issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday has come as a relief for senior citizens, those waiting for their second vaccine dose. The circular states that on three days next week - May 17 to May 19 - senior citizens above the age of 60 years, the differently abled and those above 45 years waiting for their second Covaxin dose, will be allowed to walk-in for the vaccinations.

The civic body has been facing a lot of criticism on social media over the unavailability of vaccines with so many senior citizens waiting for their second dose.

Discussions were held over the past two days after which Minister Aaditya Thackeray instructed the civic body to come out with the directive. Following which on Wednesday, the BMC chief issued the circular.

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The notice mentions that senior citizens who need to be administered the second dose of Covishield could walk in on all three days. The same rule applies for those in the 45+ age group, who are waiting for their second Covaxin dose. However, on the remaining three days of the week - Thursday to Saturday - vaccinations would be conducted strictly through appointments. The circular further states that the drive would not take place on Sunday.

The circular has also instructed the vaccination centres to decide the timings based on the stock they have and the same would be updated on the CoWIN portal. It also mentions that each booth in the centres should have at least 100 doses.

Requesting anonymity, a civic official said, "As the civic body is already facing a shortage of vaccines, it has been decided that as of now this arrangement will be only for the next week. The future course will be decided according to the available stock. Walk-ins will lead to huge crowds and we have to ensure that those waiting for their second doses get them on time."