Mumbai: BMC to begin vaccinating children aged 15-18 against Covid-19 today

A beneficiary is vaccinated at Dahisar jumbo centre. File pic

The civic body will begin vaccinating children aged 15-18 against COVID-19 at its nine jumbo centres across the city from today. The immunisation process at the civic-run centres will be free of cost. Paid vaccination is also available at some of the private centres that have stock of Covaxin vaccine. The civic body has allowed both walk-ins and prior registration via the CoWIN app for vaccination.

Children born in 2007 or earlier are eligible for vaccination, and the city has around 9 lakh population in the age target. According to the Centre's guidelines, children will be administered only Covaxin.

Children born in 2007 or earlier are eligible for vaccination now. Representation pic

Besides the jumbo centres, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar railway hospital, Byculla, will also vaccinate children.

"We chose jumbo centres, as they have all the medical facilities. We will increase the number of centres depending upon the response," said Dr Mangala Gomare, health executive officer of the BMC, adding that they have a stock of at least 3 lakh doses.

People wait to get vaccinated at NESCO centre in Goregaon. File Pic

The BMC is also in talks with junior colleges to organise vaccination camps on the premises.

Speaking on side effects, the civic body said children might experience mild pain in the arm and fever. In case of other issues, parents have been asked to contact the nearest municipal hospital.

Take your kids to these jumbo centres

. Richardson Cruddas Byculla Vaccination Centre for A, B, C, D and E wards (from Colaba to Byculla and Malabar Hill)
. Jumbo Centre at Somaiya Ground in Sion for F North, L, M East and M West wards (Wadala, Sion, Kurla, Chembur)
. NSCI Dome Centre at Worli for F South, G South and G North (Mahalaxmi, Chinchpokli to Mahim, Dharavi)
. BKC Centre for H East, K East and H West (Bandra to Santacruz; Vile Parle East to Jogeshwari East)
. NESCO Centre at Goregaon East for K West and P South (Andheri West to Goregaon)
. Malad Centre in Malad West for R South and P North (Malad and Kandivli)
. Dahisar Centre for R Central, R North (Borivli and Dahisar)
. Crompton and Greaves' Centre in Kanjurmarg East for N and S wards (Ghatkopar, Bhandup)
. Richardson Cruddas Centre in Mulund West for T ward