10 July,2021 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Anurag Kamble
Auto and taxi drivers wait for their turn at an NMMC vaccination camp
Amid the waning second wave and increased emphasis on vaccination to counter COVID-19 better in future, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has planned to inoculate potential "superspreaders" like those working in pharmacies, hotels, bars, salons and other individuals who come in contact with many people daily.
As part of this effort, the NMMC held a camp for auto and taxi drivers on Thursday.
The corporation is aiming to give at least one shot each to 8 lakh people above 45 years by the end of this month. Despite having 78 vaccination centres, its biggest hurdle so far has been erratic supply of doses. Inoculation of potential "superspreaders" is a part of its strategy to overcome the inadequate supply of vaccines. It had earlier vaccinated beggars and footpath dwellers.
"While vaccination is ongoing, we are focusing on such people who have multiple contacts during their daily work. We found workers at pharmacies, hotels and bars, salons and beauty parlours, and auto and taxi drivers interact with many people in their routine life," said an official from NMMC.
So far, the civic body has inoculated 250 pharmacy workers, 827 people working in hotels and bars, 338 from salons and beauty parlours. On Thursday, 583 auto and taxi drivers were given COVID vaccine shots at Vashi and Nerul hospitals.
"The thought behind these special vaccinations is to spread the vaccine cover to more and more sections of the society," said NMMC Commissioner Abhijit Bangar.
He added, "In the next step we are considering delivery boys. This will reduce the possibility of super spread in the community."
Total vaccination (18+) - 7,23,907
Single dose - 5,81,606
Fully vaccinated - 1,42,301
