Mumbai: BMC reduces gap between 2 doses of Covishield to 28 days

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The vaccination drive in the city is going to gain further momentum, as the BMC has reduced the gap between the two doses of Covishield, from 84 days to 28 days. People travelling abroad, government employees, as well as those working in the private sector can avail of the facility after showing passports or valid identity cards. Though vaccines are available at public centres, the vaccination speed in Mumbai dropped from 43,420 doses per day in September to 22,674 in October.

Despite repeated requests from the BMC to the Centre, no decision was taken to reduce the gap between the two doses of Covishield. The BMC has, however, gone ahead and issued fresh guidelines for certain sections of citizens. "There was a constant demand from citizens wishing to travel abroad for tourism and other reasons that they be allowed to take the second dose 28 days after the first dose, instead of 84. Also, public and private establishments have started at full capacity as per the guidelines under ‘Break the Chain'. Employees working at these establishments were also constantly being asked to get the second dose," said an official of the BMC.

In the wake of this demand, the municipal administration has issued fresh guidelines regarding Covid-19 vaccination. Accordingly, citizens wishing to travel abroad for tourism or other purposes, as well as employees of government and private establishments, will be able to take the second dose of Covishield vaccine after 28 days, instead of 84 days," said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner of the BMC.

As per the revised guidelines, citizens must have a valid passport to avail this new concession. Also, after vaccinating such citizens, the passport number will be included in the vaccination certificate. If the first dose was not taken with the passport as a proof, the vaccination authorities have been instructed to issue a separate certificate.