Free, walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for students going for admissions abroad in Mumbai

Aaditya Thackeray said that those students who have received confirmation of admission in universities abroad and require COVID-19 vaccines for the same, BMC has arranged free, walk-in vaccination on May 31 and June 01 and 02

Aaditya Thackeray, the Maharashtra Cabinet Minister, on Friday said that the authorities will be providing free and walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for students who have confirmed admissions in foreign universities.

Aaditya Thackeray said that for those students who have received confirmation of admission in universities abroad and require COVID-19 vaccines for the same, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have arranged free, walk-in vaccination on May 31 and June 01 and 02.

“For students who have received confirmation of admission in universities abroad & require vaccines for the same, the @mybmc has arranged free, walk-in vaccination this coming Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (31st May, 1st, 2nd June) at 3 centers – Rajawadi, Cooper & Kasturba,” he tweeted.

He further said that the government was duty-bound to vaccinate the students in time without affecting their careers. “The students need to carry I- 20 or DS- 160 form/ verified confirmation letter to concerned foreign universities, along with personal id documents. This admission and vaccine affecting careers, we are duty bound to vaccinate them in the required time,” he added.

Aaditya also said that he will talk to other Municipal Corporations across Maharashtra to seek for the implementation of the same walk-in vaccination.

He said, “I will also be speaking to other municipal corporations across Maharashtra to implement the same for students in and around those cities with confirmation letters for universities abroad, to implement the same. The numbers are small, but their career opportunities can’t be missed.”

It is pertinent to mention that the state is stepping up efforts to ensure that hospitals have enough beds, oxygen, and intensive care units. Also, people are being appealed to wear multiple masks as part of new guidelines.

The lockdown-like restrictions in force in the state have been extended till June 15, announced public health minister Rajesh Tope on Friday, but held out hope of some localized relaxation in areas where the pandemic is under control.

The state reported 20,740 new cases on Friday, taking the total caseload to 56.9 lakh, and 424 fatalities were reported and 549 old deaths added, taking the total death toll to 93,198.