Bengaluru witnesses a shortage in Covid-19 vaccines

Bengaluru: On Thursday, a few hospitals in Bengaluru reported a shortage of vaccine and people had to wait for long hours to get vaccinated. Some of the people had to return home without getting vaccination as the hospitals said that it was difficult to get the stock from the  Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

On Thursday afternoon, 16 people waiting at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Banerghatta Road had to return home without getting jabbed due to a shortage of vaccine. After talking to the BBMP, the hospitals were provided with two vials of Covishield for the day.

BBMP had a stock of 55,074 doses on Thursday morning. Rajendra Cholan, special commissioner (health) said that they have enough stock and were waiting for more supplies from the state government. But the shortage is evident, BBMP medical officers admitted.

Belagavi hospitals, Mysore taluks report a shortage

A BBMP official said, “We know some hospitals have the capacity to do 100-200 vaccinations a day. We are providing them with just 10-15 vials as there is not much stock. We have to run the show with the existing stock till the next consignment comes from the government.”

16 people in Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Banerghatta road were told that there was a shortage of vaccines. Dr Yatheesh Govindaiah, Jayanagar unit head of the hospitals said, “We cannot plan sessions if there is not enough supply. Earlier, BBMP was providing doses sufficient for three days. Now hospitals have to procure doses for a particular day. Today, we had about 170 persons seeking vaccination with just 15 vials (10 doses each). We had to request BBMP for more doses.”

The hospital now has no doses left. Dr Yatheesh said, “We have been informed that BBMP will hand it to us once it receives vials from the state.”

On Thursday, two women at St Philomena’s Hospital were told to come back the next day because there was no vaccine left. But the hospital explained it does not open a vial without at least 10 beneficiaries. Dr Shankar Prasad, medical director said, “We have doses. We do not open it for just two people. The rest goes waste.”

Dr HM Prasanna, president of Private Hospitals’ and Nursing Homes’ Association informed that smaller hospitals did not face such a severe shortage of vaccines. The shortage is more evident in larger hospitals.

Vijayapura witnessed an acute shortage which stopped the drive for three days. On Thursday, Belagavi district hospital reported a shortage and most people were not given the first dose. Several talks in Mysuru witnessed shortage as the district had 20,000 doses against the daily target of 30,000.  Later, it was provided with 40,000 doses which is enough till Friday.