11 May,2021 05:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma
People crowd outside a vaccination centre. Pic/Hanif Patel
None of the 20 vaccination centres in the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) area has adequate doses and this is not only forcing people to return empty-handed after waiting in queues for long hours, but is also giving a tough time to those trying to book slots online.
Of the total number of vaccination centres in the area, three were recently opened after the immunisation drive was expanded to include those between 18 and 45 years of age. Many are seen waiting outside vaccination centres from the wee hours to get inoculated the next day but their hopes get crushed when centres run out of jabs and put up display boards conveying the same.
Public Relations Officer of VVCMC, Ganesh Patil told mid-day that there is "inadequate supply of vaccines" to the municipal corporation.
BJP leader Manoj Barot said, "Jalna district, which is the hometown of state health minister Rajesh Tope, is getting extra doses. Also, the state government is supplying sufficient doses to Mumbai, then why this step-motherly treatment to VVCMC?"
Speaking to mid-day, homemaker Sarita Carvalho, who came to Mumbai from Dubai in January, said that her residency visa will expire in June. "I have been running from pillar to post to get even my first shot. I get slots in Wada, Talasari, Dahanu and other far away locations but not in my area." "I don't want my travel plans to get delayed due to the vaccine issues," she added.
Vasai-based Tapabroto Das said, "I have been desperately trying to book slots for my daughter and wife. This online registration is just nonsense. Till date I have tried multiple times to book slots but I get it in Wada, Tarapur and other locations, which are more than 100 km from my house."
mid-day got to know from some residents that those who went to Wada and other areas to get their shots were turned away by local politicians. "I went to Wada for vaccination but a few local politicians said that the centre was meant only for the local people," said Amit Gupta, a resident.
Patil further said, "We got the last stock of vaccines on May 5, which had 13,200 doses of Covishield and 6,000 doses of Covaxin. There are 17 vaccination centres for adults and three centres - one each in Vasai East, Vasai West and Virar for the 18 plus group."
BJP leader Barot said, "The total population of the VVCMC area is 28 lakh and there are only 20 vaccination centres, most of which have no vaccines. When will we get everyone vaccinated? The need of the hour is to start door-to-door vaccination."
MLA Hitendra Thakur said, "We have written to the state government for immediate supply of vaccines to VVCMC." Taking a shot at Thakur, Barot said, "MLAs only go from door to door to seek votes. What initiative have they taken to get people vaccinated? Writing a letter to the chief minister or health minister will not serve the purpose. People are dying."
