Queue For Second Shot Swells, BMC Eyes CSR Aid For Stocks

Public centres grappling with vaccine shortage have hundreds lining up daily while private hospitals sitting on thousands of doses have few takers.

- Sumitra Deb Roy

Mumbai: This paradox has prompted civic authorities to explore the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) route through tie-ups with private facilities, corporates and NGOs to broaden immunisation coverage in slums.

Guardian minister Aditya Thackeray who chaired a meeting on Monday with commissioner IS Chahal said the corporation must explore such avenues. The BMC has not been able to procure vaccines on its own despite floating tenders. “Efforts should be made to make vaccine stocks available through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as corporate social responsibility funds,” said Thackeray, adding that awareness campaigns for those who want to take asecond dose should be undertaken as well.