Demand for 2nd doses in 45+ group increases three times

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Even as the focus of the city's vaccination drive has shifted to the 18-44 years group, the demand for second doses has increased three times in the 45 plus group. However, the number of beneficiaries in the 45 plus group taking the first dose has been on the decline over the past fortnight.

In the last week, the number of people above 60 years who took the second dose was almost three times more than those who received the first dose. Similarly, in the 45 to 59 years group, the number of second dose beneficiaries was double than those who took the first dose. "The BMC started the vaccination drive for these groups in March and this trend indicates that only a few people remain in the 45 plus group for the vaccines. Maybe some are not able to come due to disabilities or misconceptions, but the civic body will address these concerns now," said a BMC official.

The BMC is thinking of starting a door-to-door vaccination drive to reach out to bedridden or disabled citizens. Meanwhile, 69,515 vaccines were administered on Tuesday, as the public centres were open only during the second half of the day.

Public and private centres inoculated 69,515 people on Tuesday, out of which 40,880 lakh vaccines were given as first dose. Out of the total doses, more than 46,101 were administered at public centres and 23,414 at private units.

About 35,493 were given to people between 18 and 44 years. Of these, 20,793 were given at civic-run centres, 1,794 were administered by government centres and 12,906 were given at private centres.

Out of the total vaccinations, 7,634 doses were given to senior citizens and 24,435 were given to those between 45 and 59 years. A total of 866 international students and five lactating mothers received doses on Tuesday.