In order to ramp up its COVID-19 vaccination drive for the 18 to 44 years age group, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged members of residential welfare associations (RWA) and citizen organisations to conduct private vaccination drives at housing societies.
Senior civic officials have said that, in most vaccination centres, doses are being administered to citizens who are above 45 years of age. Therefore, those belonging to the 18 to 44 age group are finding it difficult to book their slots through the CoWIN platform.
Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner and in-charge of D ward, which covers the upscale areas of Malabar Hills, Grant Road, Walkeshwar and Breach Candy, said that, in the past few weeks, he held meetings with various citizen groups. "I discussed the matter with them. A few societies took the initiative and we helped them tie up with hospitals," Gaikwad said. He mentioned that there are hospitals like Wockhardt, Jaslok, Breach Candy and Apollo, which are arranging similar drives at housing societies.
"Conducting private vaccination drives would help vaccinate more people in a short period. This can be beneficial in the long run as well. Also, those who belong to the 18 to 44 years category would be able get their doses without much hassle in these special drives," he said.
Chakrapani Alle, assistant municipal commissioner and in-charge of wards B and C, which covers the Dongri, Bhindi Bazar, Pydhonie, Mumbadevi and Bhuleshwar, said that his office is encouraging people to conduct private drives.
"Though we have an adequate number of vaccination centres in both the wards, I have been encouraging people to have their own drives. This could be arranged at their doorstep and there is no chance of getting infected by stepping outside their building," Alle said.
Mukul Mehra, resident and Honorary secretary of Napean Sea Road Citizen's Forum (NSRCF), said that they are working with private hospitals towards arranging a camp in their neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, Ashok Gupta, vice president of Marine Drive Citizen's Association (MDRCA), said the BMC has started multiple centres in his neighbourhood, which is why most citizens prefer visiting them. "Many private hospitals are unable to commit on when and where they will give us the vaccines. We have enough centres in Marine Drive. Most of the residents are senior citizens. We don't have any problem getting vaccinated there," Gupta said.
