Mumbai: Students going abroad allowed walk-in for jabs

MUMBAI: BMC on Friday allowed walk-in vaccination for students who have received confirmation of admission in universities abroad and require to be vaccinated to travel. Students can visit three dedicated centres at Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli, Rajawadi in Ghatkopar and Cooper Hospital in Juhu to get the shots.



The circular issued by BMC chief IS Chahal also stated that persons above 45 years would be allowed walk-ins for the first and second dose of Covishield. Frontline and healthcare workers would be allowed walk-in for second doses of Covishield as well as Covaxin. The differently abled would be given preference. On vaccination for lactating mothers, the BMC said women who have delivered in the past 12 months can take the jab. The birth certificate of the child would need to be produced.



Tweeting on the relaxation for students, state environment minister Aaditya Thackeray said the BMC has arranged free, walk-in vaccination on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (May 31, June1, June2) at three civic centres. “Students need to carry I-20 or DS-160 form/ verified confirmation letter to foreign universities, along with personal identification documents,” he said, adding there could be around 2,000 students who are foreign-bound in the coming months.



BMC said relaxation has been made for the 45-plus age category as nine lakh of the 19 lakh persons eligible in this age group are awaiting the first dose, while 78% in the 60-plus age category have got at least one dose.




Meanwhile, a state official said that Maharashtra is expecting nearly 40lakh doses in June, which could boost the slacking vaccination drive. It is scheduled to receive 14,96,500 doses of Covishield and 4,51,050 doses of Covaxin in the first two weeks of June, the official said. The state is also expecting 15,95,900 doses of Covishield and 4,74,630 doses of Covaxin procured with its own funds.
On Thursday, the state could vaccinate 2,80,756 citizens, taking the total number of doses administered to 2.16crore. Mumbai on Friday vaccinated 43,181 people. Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said the city received around 20,000 doses which would suffice for Saturday.



Vaccination on Saturday would continue to be strictly by appointment as has been the practice since the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, BJP has planned a vaccination session for students in the 18-44 age group at Mulund’s Fortis Hospital on Saturday. There were many requests, said BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha.