Mumbai: Many fail to get COVID-19 vaccine at Dahisar canter due to technical glitch

Senior citizens at Dahisar COVID-19 vaccination centre. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Several citizens reached at Dahisar vaccination centre on Monday only to be disappointed on finding out that they will not be getting the COVID-29 vaccine.

Though the registration process started at 10 am, no vaccination was given until 12.30 pm due to the technical glitch in online registration system. After a long wait at the registration counter when people questioned about the delay, they were told about the technical glitch and it led to chaos.

The officials at the centre suggested people to leave and come back later as there was no clarity on when the vaccination process will begin.

Many people expressed displeasure as they had planned in advance and were hoping that it will be less crowded on day one.

"What was the point of the registration today? We registered online and reported at the vaccination centre only to find out that their system is not working," said 61-year-old Kamlesh Barot from Dahisar who had registered online.

Sharad Samant (65), a Borivli resident, had not registered online after knowing that walk-in registration is available. "But now they are asking me to go back as they do not know how long it will take. I was expecting a delay considering it is day one, but this was unexpected," said Samant.

Many wondered if today's registration number will be valid for tomorrow.

"It is a centralized process of registration and due to heavy load, there are technical issues. Individuals have registered online but that is not showing in our system here which is why the process is delayed," said Dr. Bhaskar Patil, additional Dean present at the vaccination centre.

Local corporator Sheetal Mhatre said, "The central government should have given proper training to staff handling the vaccination process at ground level. Now when many senior citizens are waiting, there is technical glitch."