Mumbaikars get
Arjun Dixit, a social worker who is helping people to get oxygen and plasma said, realising that there is a crisis, suppliers have now started to give cylinders only after checking patients’ SPO2 readings. A senior civic official has said that the administration cannot restrict people from buying cylinders and concentrators as these products fall under the category of ‘essentials’. “This is a matter of demand and supply, the concentrators fall under essential category and we cannot stop people from acquiring them,” said the official. “Rather, we can appeal to people to use the cylinders more sensibly and not panic, as right now, the civic body has adequate supply of oxygen,” he added.
No win with CoWin
“I don't understand this. First, when the vaccine drive was thrown open, we were not eligible. But now, when we are, we are unable to find a slot. It seems to be 'first come, first serve basis', as we have to wait for booking to open and when it starts, there is a delay in getting the OTP and by the time we select the centre, it is booked. If this continues, I don't think I will get an appointment this week,” she said. Another beneficiary complained there was no session available for at least a week at any of the centres and some centres are already booked before time. “These bookings are worse than Railways Tatkal bookings. I have been trying for the last 3 days but no luck. The entire process is a mess. As per the probability of vaccines available, bookings should be open for any number of days in future,” said Rajesh Chavan, a lawyer. Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said that not everyone gets a chance to book a slot for vaccination, as currently, the civic body has limited stock, so only a limited number of beneficiaries can be inoculated at vaccine centres. “I have learnt that many beneficiaries are facing problems in booking the vaccine slot, but once we get adequate stock, it will become easier for all to book a slot. Currently, it depends on the luck of the beneficiaries, whether they manage to get a slot in their first attempt,” he said. Meanwhile, social media users said they could log in but could not find any nearby hospital offering vaccines to people above the age of 18 years. Only old data of hospitals offering vaccination to people above the age of 45 years was on display. “Easier to apply for a US Visa, finance a master’s degree through a loan, get a Visa, and go to America and get a Pfizer/Moderna Vaccination than booking a vaccination slot at Cooper Hospital,” tweeted @rutvikpandit. “I’m unable to book an appointment in Mumbai for my parents despite their age being above 45. The error shown is that the min age requirement is 45. Thr are no other members added in the main list. My parents have not been able to get vaccinated since a month,” tweeted @parikhkunal.