Mumbai: 60+ can walk in for first Covid-19 vaccine dose from May 18 to 20

Senior citizens at a closed vaccination centre in Dahisar on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Vaccination drives in the city on Monday stand cancelled owing to cyclone Tauktae, but from May 18 to 20, senior citizens will be allowed to walk in for the first dose of the vaccine. Additionally, only healthcare and frontline workers will get second dose of Covishield.

Civic officials put up the new interval between two doses of Covishield at a centre in Mahim. Pic/Ashish Raje

Vaccination for senior citizens above 60 years and people above 45 years with comorbidities started on March 1. Till now, 7.99 lakh senior citizens have taken the first dose and 3.35 lakh citizens have taken both doses.

Earlier, the interval between two doses of Covishield was four weeks. It was later extended to six to eight weeks and now a central government circular increased it to 12 to 16 weeks. As such, technically, none from the category of senior citizens and comorbid aged 45 and above are eligible for the second dose. In the age group of 45 to 59 years, 8.61 lakh people have received the first dose and out of these, 1.43 lakh have received the second dose. Only healthcare and frontline workers who took the first dose before February 20 will be eligible for a second dose.

Also Read: Doctors' advice for post-vaccine care at home

"Earlier, the BMC decided to allow the walk-in option for senior citizens for only the second dose from Monday to Wednesday to clear the backlog. But now the walk-in facility will be extended to citizens above 60 years old for the first dose of Covishield from May 18 to 20," said Iqbal Singh Chahal, municipal commissioner. He added that the vaccination schedule on Monday stands cancelled amid the warning issued by the Indian Meteorological Department for cyclone Tauktae.

As per the order, people with a disability of walking/standing can also avail of the walk-in facility from Tuesday to Thursday. All beneficiaries who received Covaxin can take the walk-in route, too, during these three days. After this, the vaccination will again be on a registration basis only.

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Approx no. of seniors in lakh in city who have taken the first dose of the vaccine