Navi Mum Complex First Off Blocks In Holding Vax Camp With Pvt Hospital

The upscale NRI complex at Seawoods here is kicking off an in-house vaccination drive for all its adult residents in collaboration with a private hospital, becoming probably the first housing complex in the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region to take this route to inoculate all its residents at a time when vaccine shortage is convulsing the drive.

- Sanjeev Devasia

The leafy NRI Seawoods Phase-1 complex, designed by famous architect Hafeez Contractor, has about 1,500 flats with 5,000 residents. On Friday, the drive-in collaboration with Apollo Hospital at the society is aiming to start with 800 residents across both the 18-44 and 45-plus age groups.

Navi Mumbai municipal corporation officials said rules allow private hospitals to procure vaccines and carry outdrives for housing societies and corporates. “Apollo or other hospitals are procuring vaccines on their own and the central government has not put any restrictions,” said NMMC commissioner Abhijit Bangar, adding that shortage has meant the state putting the drive for 18-44 on hold to cater to those needing their second doses. He said the government is trying to procure vaccines to ensure a smooth drive.