15 March,2022 07:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Anagha Sawant
Representative image
After the Centre's announcement to vaccinate the children in the 12-14 age group from March 16, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has plans to start the vaccination drive at 12 dedicated centres on a two-day trial basis in Mumbai.
As per the BMC data, Mumbai has over 5.5 lakh children in the 12-14 age group. The vaccine to be administered is Corbevax, which is manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E. Limited.
Currently, in Mumbai, only 190 BMC-run CVCs are working since the footfall of 15+ age group beneficiaries reduced.
Suresh Kakani, Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, said, "It will be on a pilot basis for two days. After analysing the responses and challenges at these 12 centres we plan to extend the drive to other vaccination centres. Later on, we will also start camps at the school level."
"Two doses of the vaccine will be given at an interval of 28 days. Mumbai has received around 1.22 lakh vials and each vial has 20 doses (0.5 ml). Each centre will be given 15-20 vials, which will cater to around 300 to 400 beneficiaries," said the BMC official.
The Maharashtra govt has started its preparation to launch the vaccination drive at government centres only. According to state officials, they have received around 40 lakh vials of Corbevax vaccines in the state.
Dr Sachin Desai, Maharashtra state immunisation officer, said, "We have already distributed the Corbevax vaccines depending on the population of young beneficiaries in each district. We will only administer the vaccine doses to children at the government-run vaccine centres. We don't have any plans to conduct vaccination camps in schools or other places."
In its guidelines, the Central govt has clarified that if the beneficiary is registered but has not attained the age of 12 years on the date of vaccination, the vaccine will not be administered. The Centre is expected to make necessary changes in the Co-WIN system regarding the vaccination by March 16 morning.
The private hospitals in the city haven't received any communication from the Centre. "We are waiting for the Central government's guidelines. None of the private hospitals have approached the Central government so far to start vaccination for young beneficiaries. If case we approach, the demand for the vaccines stocks will depend on the requirements," said Dr Gautam Bhansali, chief coordinator of private hospitals for vaccination.
List of dedicated CVCs in Mumbai for 12-14 age group beneficiaries:
