Drive-in vaccination for 45 yrs & above begins in Navi Mumbai

NAVI MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), on Thursday, started drive-in vaccination at Inorbit Mall, Vashi, and Grand Central Mall, Seawoods, for beneficiaries above 45 years. Starting with the first 50 vehicles, the plan was to increase the number as the supply of vaccinations increases.

Dhanvanti Ghadge, NMMC medical officer, said, “We have exhausted the vaccination doses on Thursday and once we get the new stock on Friday, we will resume the drive with a minimum of 100 vehicles at each mall.”

Wednesday, some of the messages that were forwarded among people claimed that the drive-in vaccination would start at 9am and accordingly people had started lining up outside the mall from 8.45am.

The first beneficiary of the drive-in, 53-year-old Narendra Sengar, a retired Navy man, had reached the place from Kamothe. “After reaching there, I learnt that the drive was to start at 1pm, but I chose to wait. I never tried getting myself vaccinated in Panvel. After getting to know about the drive-in vaccination drive, I chose to try here. I felt Inrobit Mall is more accessible than any other centre in Panvel. I hope to get my second dose as well from the same place,” Sengar said.

The drive-in vaccination does not need a prior registration and one had to just drive-in through the parking lot. At first spot, the registration of the beneficiary is done, then the jab is given and then a certificate is issued. The beneficiary is then supposed to be in the car for the next 30 minutes for observation. “There is no need for anyOn one to step out of the car in the whole process,” Ghadge said.

Arup Mitra (54), a Vashi resident, too reached the spot at 8.45am and chose to wait till 1pm. Mitra had once booked a slot for himself on April 8 for his first dose but could not avail as he got Covid positive. “After recovery, I got clearance from my doctor and then went for the drive-in vaccination. The whole experience was excellent and the corporation has organised everything well,” Mitra said.

NMMC chief, Abhijit Bangar, said “A full-fledged team of doctors and nurses are available at the drive-in vaccination centres. During the observation period, if no discomfort is found, the patient can exit the place.”

ON FRIDAY, THIS DRIVE WILL BE FROM 10 AM TO

4PM AND THE FIRST 100 VEHICLES WILL GET THE VACCINE.

BACHCHAN KUMAR/HT PHOTO A beneficiary gets jabbed while sitting in her car at the drive-in vaccination facility started by NMMC at Inorbit Mall, Vashi, on Thursday.