On Day 1 of a special drive sponsored by the state govt, 3,920 students from 55 colleges get vaccines, next drive to be held after stipulated gap for second dose
MMK College had to collect students’ vaccination-related data to be able to arrange the special drive on Monday. Pics/Sameer Markande
Had there been no vaccination drive in college, student Altamash Pistawala says he would not have taken the COVID-19 vaccine. According to him, it was not required if he is not stepping out of the house. Now, not only have colleges made it mandatory to be fully vaccinated, but they are also providing easy access to vaccinations through a special drive sponsored by the Maharashtra government.
The state-sponsored drive for college students began on Monday and 3,920 students were vaccinated in 35 colleges. State Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant inaugurated the drive at MMK College in Bandra where 100 were vaccinated.
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MMK College’s principal, Kishore Peshori, said, “Students want to be back in college and they must be fully vaccinated as per the guidelines. Vaccination drives on campus will definitely help them get vaccinated easily.”
NSS volunteers pitch in
Fifty NSS volunteers from the college are helping manage the drive. The college began collecting data on vaccinated and unvaccinated students immediately after the drive was announced. “More than 350 students from our colleges responded positively to take part in this vaccination drive which will be held on three days this week,” said Sushant Damodare, NSS programme coordinator at MMK College. A second drive will be held for the second dose after the stipulated gap between the two jabs.
Mariyam Shaikh, a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student, said, “It is important that I be fully vaccinated to be able to attend lectures. It is great that the college held the drive.” Pistawala, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce student, added, “I live in Vasai, so not only do I have to attend college but also travel in train, for which I need a certificate of being fully vaccinated. I am happy that we got easy access to vaccines through the college.”
Joint Director, Higher Education, Sonali Rode, said that while 55 colleges participated, the drive was held at 35 colleges that are cluster heads. “The number will increase when colleges submit students’ data. Depending on the need, facilities can be made available,” said Rode. She added that Valia College, Andheri, will be felicitated for vaccinating over 27,000 people, including their students and community members. This is expected to motivate colleges to participate further in vaccination drives.
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No. of days this week the drive has been planned for
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