Mumbai: City on Wednesday became the first district in Maharashtra to manage the first dose of the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines since the drive launch last January.
Mumbai has given a total of 1.8 doses of crore vaccines so far, covering 108% with a single dose and 88% with both.
While the city has ahead of most other people with leaps and limitations of adult vaccination, has been lagging behind compared to most large districts in adolescent immunizations.
On Wednesday, Civic’s body tried a new approach by starting the camp at Rupael College in Matunga.
The target has been set to vaccinate 2,800 students between January 5 and January 15.
On the first day, 170 students took a shot.
It’s likely to start at the next Dadar’s Kirti College.
Extra City Commissioner Suresh Kakani said that if the vaccination drive on the campus took place without hiccups, it would be extended to more colleges and schools.
At present, students are brought to Jumbo centers for vaccination.
“We want to watch side effects like what is reported and whether it will be safe enough to give a dose outside the hospital setting,” he said.
While the center has set a 6.1 lakh target to vaccinate in the 15-17 bracket, BMC has projected around 9.2 Lakh recipients from this age group based on population estimates in 2021.
Since the start of the drive, 15,110 teens have to take the first dose.
While Mumbai has recorded an average of 8,000 odd vaccinations in this age group, districts such as Thane have vaccinated more than 20,000 by taking camp to college.
The number of state adolescent vaccinations increased further on the third day of the drive.
As many as 3,12,605 doses were given to those in the bracket aged 15-17.
The teen drive has also encouraged daily vaccination in the state to more than 8 lakh.
Rajesh Tope, Minister of Health, said the government planned to be more stringent about enforcing vaccination, especially the second dose.
It has also decided to allow private hospitals to manage a booster dose for health workers.
Vaccination with Booster Shots is scheduled from January 10.