With a large chunk of the general population set to finish 12 weeks after their first dose, does the city have enough shots for all of them?
Vaccine recipients wait at Nair hospital on July 26. Pic/Suresh Karkera
The increase in the interval between two doses of the Covishield vaccine has boomeranged as over 13 lakh people are in line for their second dose. The interval had been increased from six to eight weeks to 12 to 16 weeks in May. At least five lakh of these people will complete 16 weeks, the maximum period between doses.
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The vaccination drive for those above 18 years has had hiccups ever since it was launched by the central government on May 1. While lakhs of people were in line, doses were limited and then an increase in the gap of two doses was announced.
Initially, the gap between two Covishield doses was four to six weeks, like Covaxin. It was then increased to six to eight weeks and then to 12 to 16 weeks on May 12. While this helped prioritise the first doses, the civic body now faces the challenge of giving the second dose.
Also read: ‘US to support India’s vaccination efforts with USD 25 million’
A woman gets vaccinated at a civic centre in Mahim on July 23. Pic/Ashish Raje
Since May, 33 lakh doses have been administered and only 11.6 lakh of these were second doses in Mumbai. This included recipients of both Covishield and Covaxin.
Of these, 13.67 lakh people who received Covishield will complete 84 days next month. This includes five lakh people who will complete the maximum 112 days by August 31.
Are there enough doses?
In July, only 14 lakh doses — both first and second, were administered. So the question that arises is if the government will be able to provide the same number of second doses in the coming month.
“We are getting messages of completion of 84 days almost every day. We went to several centres. But there are long queues and not enough doses. How to get the dose?” said a resident of Borivli on condition of anonymity. Of those who will complete 12 to 16 weeks next month, approximately 5.32 lakh are aged between 18 and 44 years, 4.35 lakh people are aged between 45 and 60 years and 3.31 lakh people are aged above 60 years. The rest of the people are from various categories like health workers, frontline workers, lactating mothers, etc.
“We are aware of it and planning to give the second dose on priority. The time gap is 12 to 16 weeks and all beneficiaries of the first dose will not complete 84 days on a single day, so we will plan accordingly,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.
Mumbai vax in nos.
>> People who will complete 84 days (12 weeks) between July 27 and August 31: 13,67,495
>> Out of 13.34 lakh, people who will complete 112 days (16 weeks) till August 31: At least 5,02,991
No. of doses given (in lakhs)
Month First dose Second dose
March 7.97 1.27
April 9.61 3.40
May 5.63 2.59
June 18.37 3.22
July 8.93 5.81
Since Jan 52.56 16.53
Covisheild 50 14.54
Covaxin 2.46 1.97
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