Unaware of BMC’s decision to vaccinate only those with appointments, scores of people reached centres across the city early on Friday. As they learnt about the new measure after waiting for hours, they desperately tried to register on the CoWIN site but could not complete the process. Frustrated, the vaccine-seekers returned home without a jab. Officials said the move is aimed at reducing crowding at vaccination centres.

At Dahisar jumbo centre, about 500 people had been waiting since 3.30 am. All had to go back in the absence of appointments. In a late-evening announcement, the BMC on Thursday made appointments mandatory even for those waiting for the second dose of Covishield. Those who have received the first shot of Covaxin are allowed to walk in with a copy of their first jab vaccination certification.