Mumbai: The first day of vaccination for pregnant women in Mumbai sees a warm response.
Only 10 mothers expect out to take vaccines on Thursday, underlining the need for greater awareness about the risks and benefits of vaccination.
The state authority, meanwhile, said they had received 9 doses of the lakh vaccine that had to defend the drive for 2-3 days.
Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope again demanded 3 crore doses for the country every month.
Free vaccination for pregnant women is offered in designated centers in the city, including medical colleges, peripheral hospitals and maternity homes, which routinely offer antenatal services.
Many of these centers got many questions from pregnant women and their families, although some agreed to really take shots.
It is estimated that 1.5 lakh pregnant women in the city are eligible for vaccination.
Of the 10 who had been vaccinated on Thursday, eight was vaccinated in public and two Inprivatus centers.
Overall, 18 pregnant women were vaccinated in the last two days.
Eight women took vaccines in private centers on Wednesday.
Dr.
Vidya Thakur, Rajawadi Hospital Medical Supervisor, Ghatkopar, said that only a woman took a vaccine at the center.
“Our antenatal staff will begin advising pregnant women when they come for routine follow-up.
With counseling and consciousness, we believe in the number will eventually rise,” he said.
The hospital has created a separate queue for pregnant women and will also facilitate walk-in, Dr.
Thakur said.
Many women flopped to ask about vaccines but left without taking a shot at Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivli, said Medical Supervisor Dr.
Pratibha Patil.
“We will begin to provide counseling registered in our hospital for shipping,” he said.
In 2015, when the free influenza vaccination was introduced for pregnant women in Maharashtra, similar doubts were seen at first but things improved when the word spread, said Dr.
Lalit Sankhe, a nodal vaccination official at the JJ Hospital.
“Mother is naturally anxious for their unborn child, but those in the second and third trimester may be more willing,” he added.
Civil officials say doctors and nurses from the Gynecology Department have been trained to advise pregnant women.
More than 66,421 people took vaccines in the city on Thursday.
Vaccinations in free centers will be held at regular hours on Friday starting at 9am to 5pm.