My father works as a painter. During the first lockdown, we were forced to return to our hometown in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh as we didn’t have money for house rent. I couldn’t attend my Std IX classes even online. But, now I hope this vaccine will allow us to stay here, my father can work and I will give my Std X exam,” said Rajan Bari, the second child to be vaccinated in Mumbai on Monday.

Bari, who lives near Vakola bridge in Santacruz East and studies at Shastri Nagar Mumbai Public School (MPS), was vaccinated at the BKC centre. Buses full of students from civic-run schools arrived at the BKC centre, as the Covid-19 immunisation programme for 15-17 year olds kicked off on Monday.