City now worst in state in inoculating 12-14 year olds

The city is now the worst performer in vaccination of young teenagers

- Sumitra Deb Roy

Even tribal and rural districts have surpassed Mumbai in the coverage of children between 12 and14 years with one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, shows the state's recent data.

Mumbai has given a single shot to barely 10% of the estimated population of nearly 4 lakh since the drive started on March 16. The state average is 37%. Sangli, the best performer, has achieved 74% coverage and plans to wrap up the drive for this group in the next seven days. At least 19 districts are above the state average, having covered 38% to 74% of the kids with a single shot.

Districts like Nandurbar and Nanded, which have been at the bottom of the adult vaccination chart, have also achieved a coverage (22%) higher than the city. Tribal populated Gadchiroli is surprisingly among the better performers (42%). Even Beed, a laggard in adult vaccination, has covered 60% of the children.