Mumbai: The number of beneficiaries taking the jab at the Covid vaccine centres in the city dropped by 23.36 percent on Friday. According to the data, 53,427 people were inoculated, of which 38,682 were between 18 to 44 years of age, followed by 43 lactating mothers. Moreover, 843 beneficiaries were administered the Sputnik V vaccine at private vaccine centres as part of the pilot project. Civic officials attributed this drop to the constant rains in the city.
So far, 39.47 lakh beneficiaries have taken Covid vaccines since the mass immunization drive started in the city. Of the total, 31.39 lakh have taken the first dose, while 8.08 lakh have taken both doses.
Suresh Kakani, the additional municipal commissioner, said, “We have around one lakh Covid vaccine doses and soon we are expecting more to come. Moreover, the adult population is keen on taking a vaccine as most of them are going abroad for studies.”
Senior health officer from the state health department said, if 60 percent of the vulnerable population is fully vaccinated by July-end, along with strict checks on potential super-spreading events, Maharashtra should be better equipped to handle the third wave. “An ideal situation would have been simultaneous vaccination coverage of at least 80 percent in the 45-plus group, 60 percent of the 18-44 age group, along with public health measures to best tackle another surge,” he said.
