Taking cognisance of a recent fake vaccination drive, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has directed all private covid vaccine centres (PVCVs) to provide their unique identification and registration number to the ward or medical health officer before conducting any inoculation exercise in societies or corporate offices.
The insistence comes on the heels of a fake vaccination drive conducted in a housing society in Kandivali on May 30. Investigations have since revealed that 2,053 persons were given fake vaccines during such drives by the accused involved; these included 390 vaccinations at Hiranandani Health Club at Kandivali (W), 207 at Podar Education Society in Parel, 514 in Borivali, 30 at Malad West and nearly 365 persons at a drive organised for employees of Tips Industries at Khar, among others,
Dr Mangala Gomare, executive health officer, said they had earlier issued COVID guidelines for conducting vaccination drives at societies and corporate offices, following which they had to provide all details of the organisers to the ward officers. However, it is learnt that the PVCVs and societies failed to submit the details.
“We are now taking all necessary steps to ensure no fake vaccination drive is conducted across the city. All the PCVCs have been provided unique identification and registration numbers which they have to submit before conducting the drives at societies or corporate offices,” she said.
Dr Gomare further added that it will be mandatory to inform the medical officer at the ward level before conducting vaccination campaigns in their society premises through private vaccination centers. “Once the PCVC informs the medical officers of the respective ward, they will conduct an inspection at the societies or corporate office and will cross check the special unique identification number provided to the PCVC. Moreover, we have also urged the societies or corporate offices to strictly follow the guidelines to avoid any kind of fraud or fake vaccine drive which can risk the life of an individual,” concluded Dr Gomare.
A senior doctor, who is the nodal officer for organising vaccination drives at a private hospital, said they have been stringently following the guidelines issued by the civic body before conducting vaccination drives. However, the incident at the Kandivali society was a rude shock as it had put the lives of many beneficiaries at risk,'' he said.
