The students who queued up vaccination centres to get their dose on Monday faced immense inconvenience due to the short supply of the vaccines.
Earlier on May 29, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) had announced a free walk-in vaccination drive for three days, starting Monday (May 31), for students, who are set to travel overseas for their higher studies. The BMC had earmarked three hospitals - Kasturba, Cooper and Rajawadi hospital for the students.
Since the early hours of Monday morning, students queued up at the hospitals along with their parents. The students had claimed they were sent back by the hospital authorities citing a shortage of doses.
"Many of us have been waiting here since as early as 3 am in the morning, it's appalling that the BMC had made their decision before checking a stock of the available vaccines," said a student requesting anonymity.
"Since the announcement had been made by the Mumbai civic body, we had come from Vasai, however, we were sent back," said a parent.
Earlier on Saturday, Suresh Kakani - the additional municipal commissioner and in charge of public health in the BMC, had said that initially 100 doses will be administered in each dose, however, depending on the demand, the capacity will be augmented.
Mumbai Mayor - Kishori Pednekar also visited Kasturba hospital on Monday and took note of the situation.
