Despite late start, fastest Covid vaccination coverage in 18-44 age group in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Despite a slow and late start, the younger, tech-savvy population in the age group 18-44 has seen the swiftest vaccination coverage.
In Mumbai, 61% in this category have received at least one dose even though their inoculation started in May and was erratic till late June. In comparison, those 45-59 years old and in the 60-plus bracket, who started getting jabs in March, have not been entirely covered with one dose yet.Around 88% in the 45-59 group and 96.7% senior citizens have got at least one dose so far.

Civic data shows highest share of doses (43%) has gone to the 18-44 age bracket, followed by 29% to the 45-59 and 19% to senior citizens. About 7% in 18-44 have received two doses so far. In the 45-59 bracket, 52% have got two doses; in senior citizens, it is 66%.
Vaccination of senior citizens and those above 45 with comorbidities began in March. Month later, vaccination for all 45-plus irrespective of comorbidities followed.
For 18-44, it started from May 1, but under a new policy that put the onus of vaccinating them on states. Maharashtra could vaccinate this group only for 12 days before having to divert doses for older groups. Younger groups thus could not get free vaccines till June 21 when the Centre once again revised its policy to cover the 18-44 as well. Most in this category have got vaccinated at private centres.
Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state’s Covid taskforce, said this group is comfortable with technology and could use Co-Win with ease. "That is one of the key reasons why a large proportion has managed to get vaccinated so quickly. There was also willingness to get vaccinated,” he said.
An official said the 18-44 group has the highest share in the city's adult population. Of the estimated 93 lakh adults, nearly 59 lakh are from the 18-44 bracket which explains why they have received maximum doses. "People from their age group also had to return to work as quickly as possible," the official said.
The slow pace of vaccination among older age groups is a cause for concern. In fact, in the 45-59 bracket, nearly 12% people have not taken a single dose. That roughly translates into 2.3 lakh people.
Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC’s executive health officer, said it‘s intriguing why people are not coming forward for second doses. "We believe hesitancy is one of the reasons,” she said. When asked if frequent stockouts at public centres could be blamed, she said a fixed quota of doses was set aside for second dose recipients, but often there wouldn’t be takers.