Mumbai: St Michael’s Church in Mahim starts vax drive on its premises for 45+ age group

MUMBAI: One of the oldest churches in the city, St Michael’s Church in Mahim, on Monday became the first in the city to start a vaccination centre within its premises. A total of 237 beneficiaries above the age of 45 years got the jab on the first day.
St Michael’s is famous for its signboards that display messages packed with pithy humour and the Wednesday novenas that drew people of all faiths until the pandemic-induced lockdown.
Parish priest Fr Lancy Pinto said when he heard the BMC was looking for spaces in every civic ward to set up vaccination centres, he was more than keen to offer space on the church premises. “We requested that the drive be started for those in the 45+ category as there are several in that age bracket in the locality. Being centrally located, it also offers easy access,” he said.
Local Shiv Sena corporator Milind Vaidya, who helped set up the centre, said the facility is located at an isolated spot within the premises so that the drive can continue uninterrupted even after religious places are given a nod to reopen.
Assistant municipal commissioner of G North ward, Kiran Dighavkar, said the parish has given an undertaking that vaccinations can be carried out for the next six months. “Two booths with a capacity to vaccinate over 200 people daily have been erected,” he said. However, the centre had to be closed on Tuesday due to a vaccine stockout.
Rita D’Sa, a parishioner and former president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, said since the church and adjoining school have several gates, it has been decided to facilitate entry and exit of those coming for the vaccine through Gate No. 6. “Our only request is that walk-ins should be allowed for senior citizens since they are finding it extremely difficult to book online slots,” she said.