Mumbai: Those vaccinated in 18-44 age group go up by nine lakh this month

A woman gets vaccinated at Nair hospital on Tuesday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

While the state government opened up vaccination for those aged 18-44 years starting Tuesday, over 11 lakh beneficiaries in this age group have been inoculated in the past month and a half. In June, the drive has been faster in the city with more private hospitals procuring the vaccines. Between June 1 and June 22, more than 12 lakh people been vaccinated, of which close to nine lakh are beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years.

On June 1, the total number of vaccinated beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years was 2,70,482. The figure reached 11,39,108 on June 21, with an average of about 40,000 to 45,000 doses administered daily. While private hospitals conducting inoculation were just 35 on June 1, the number increased to 50 amid a huge stock of doses in hand. Private hospitals have inoculated over 10 lakh in the age group so far.

Vaccinations in civic centres for this age group, which was halted amid vaccine shortages during the past month, is likely to resume. The BMC had already started moving towards it by allowing walk-in vaccinations for those aged 30 years and above starting Monday.

And as a result, the day saw the highest turnout so far and crossed the one lakh mark.

A civic official said, "We have enough stock in hand currently and are expecting some more from the government. Thus, we have allowed walk-ins to ensure that more citizens benefit. Many have already turned to private centres or got their doses through companies or society complexes, but a huge population still remains to be vaccinated and we want to ensure they are covered."

2.7 lakh
No. of people vaccinated in the 18-44 yrs group on June 1

11.39 lakh
No. of people vaccinated in the 18-44 yrs group on June 21