Mumbai: Disappointed senior citizens want walk-in restored

People stand in long queues at NESCO facility in Goregaon on Friday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Unaware of BMC's decision to vaccinate only those with appointments, scores of people reached centres across the city early on Friday. As they learnt about the new measure after waiting for hours, they desperately tried to register on the CoWIN site but could not complete the process. Frustrated, the vaccine-seekers returned home without a jab. Officials said the move is aimed at reducing crowding at vaccination centres.

At Dahisar jumbo centre, about 500 people had been waiting since 3.30 am. All had to go back in the absence of appointments. In a late-evening announcement, the BMC on Thursday made appointments mandatory even for those waiting for the second dose of Covishield. Those who have received the first shot of Covaxin are allowed to walk in with a copy of their first jab vaccination certification.

Borivli resident Ashok Doshi said he went to the BKC centre and found a long queue. "We were told we won't get our second dose without online registration. I have no idea how to go about it. I had taken the first shot 6 weeks ago and don't when I will get the second dose," said the senior citizen.

Sulochnaben Vyas, 70, had reached Rajawadi Hospital as early as 5 am. "At 10 am, they told us about the online appointment. I came home without taking the second dose."

Amrut Veera from Dadar was upset that the announcement was made very late. "The government should vaccinate the people since the CoWIN site is overloaded," said Veera.

Ghatkopar resident Ashok Tanna, 69, too was anxious about his second jab. His son who was waiting at Rajawadi tried to book a slot for May 7 for him but could not get one.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Vidhya Thakur of Rajawadi Hospital said, "We are working as per the order of the BMC commissioner. We understand the people's concerns but they need to be patient."

Dr Rajesh Dhere, in charge of BKC jumbo center, unavailable for comments.

Stock yes, but vax no in Vile Parle

At a few centres in Vile Parle, walk-in citizens could not get the jabs despite the availability of stocks, with officials saying they had to follow the new directive. At Shirodkar Nursing home in the east, people had been getting the shot through the walk-in system but it stopped on Friday. Only 3 people got the vax as they had online appointments. To avoid wastage of doses, local corporators and activists ensured shots for 50 senior citizens.

Inputs: Prakash Bambroliya