Measles outbreak in Mumbai: Now, BMC to hire vaccinators

MUMBAI: Given the focus on vaccination due to the ongoing measles outbreak, the BMC is looking to hire vaccinators on a contract basis.

The BMC plans to advertise for contract vaccinators who could also be retired nurses or nursing assistants. The BMC will pay Rs 450 for a four-hour shift.

Due to the ongoing measles outbreak, which has claimed the lives of 17 children in Mumbai so far, the central government had advised special vaccination drives in the hotspots.

Apart from the routine vaccination for children, the measles drive has increased the workload on the BMC public health department staff who take care of vaccination. "Our vaccination drive not only covers children but also teenagers and pregnant women. We also do field vaccination in certain areas with the help of auxiliary health nurses,'' said a senior civic official.