The pace of vaccination plan due to rain and rising demand for Booster dose: Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital

Amid the unseasonal rain has slowed down the mass immunization effort once again, owing to the growing dread of the new variety Omicron. The downpour has wreaked havoc on rural communities that are already behind schedule.

On Friday, a new coronavirus was detected in one overseas passenger and three close contacts of sick Covid-19 patients in Mumbai. This brings the overall number of suspected Omicron cases in Mumbai to 14, with four of the travelers' contacts.

The state's overall number of suspected Omicron cases has risen to 30. The genome sequencing of all samples has been completed. According to the BMC, 2.149 international travelers were subjected to RT-PCR tests at Mumbai airport this week. From London, five suspected Omicron patients have traveled to Mumbai. Others came from Paris, Mauritius, Germany, South Africa, Portugal, and Spain, among other places.

Suresh Kakani, an additional municipal commissioner, stated, "All of the patients have asymptomatic symptoms. S gene target failure was identified, indicating that they aren't contaminated with Omicron. To be sure, we'll have to wait for the findings of genome sequencing."

After averaging approximately 5 lakh daily vaccinations in the first three weeks of November, daily vaccinations increased to an average of 9 lakh the following week. The fear of getting Omicron aided in increasing immunization rates among those who were previously hesitant to receive the vaccine.

According to Hiranandani Hospital Powai Covid, the immunization program has been hampered by unusual rain in many regions of the state during the last three days. Immunization rates began to rise in November, when 8.3 lakh people were vaccinated, largely with the second dosage, according to data from the public health department. The state recorded 11 lakh vaccinations on November 29. The state-administered 12 lakh the next day, the most in the previous month. The average daily immunization rate has decreased to 9 lakh in the last three days.

"People in rural areas were unable to acquire their vaccinations due to the rain”, says the state immunization officer, Dr. Sachin Desai. Only 45 percent of the state's eligible population has been fully immunized, compared to a national average of 49 percent. After falling under the Center's scrutiny last month, the districts are attempting to enhance immunization through coercion and door-to-door immunization. Doctors are recommending booster doses as the number of probable Omicron patients grows because Omicron has more mutations and a higher incidence of transmissibility.

Dr. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Hiranandani Hospital, wrote to BMC Commissioner IS Chahal on November 29 seeking that healthcare professionals, immune compromised patients, and senior residents be allowed booster shots. "Different varieties are released on a regular basis, and countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are still recovering from the effects." "Booster doses are vital since they lessen the severity of the virus, and so there is no need for hospitalization even if the virus is contracted," said Dr. Gautam Bhansali, in charge of Covid-19 private hospitals.