Pune: Procuring Covaxin was still a major challenge for the private hospitals in the region, claimed their senior officials.
Around 20 private hospitals are offering paid Covaxin to the 18-plus beneficiaries in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) at present. More private hospitals are eager to resume vaccination for the 15-18 years’ group if the supply of Covaxin was streamlined.
Jitendra Oswal, deputy director, Bharati Hospital Pune, told TOI, “There is no clarity on whether the government will assist the private hospitals in procuring the Covaxin doses or the hospitals will have to directly communicate with Bharat Biotech, the manufacturers. Earlier, August onwards, the government health officials used to assist in the order and delivery. We have no clue this time. Regardless, we shall organise the vaccination for children. The children with comorbidities will be given priority.”
Dr Dhananjay Kelkar, the medical director at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said they would stay away from the children’s vaccination at their facility because of the procuring issues. “We shall continue with the ‘precautionary doses’ of the senior citizens from January 10, but not the Covaxin,” he said, adding that they had encountered issues with Covaxin procurement in the initial phase of the drive too, after which the vaccination drive was under way with Covishield only.
Sanjay Patil, chairman, Hospital Board of India, Pune chapter, said a meeting with the national body of the Indian Medical Association was lined up, wherein the issues of Covaxin would be addressed.
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