HYDERABAD: Shortage of vaccines is leading to anxiety. People are queuing up during relaxation hours, hoping that they will get the vaccine. People are roaming around with their Aadhar cards to get themselves registered, as they are not able to do so from the app.
Many religious organisations, communities and residential colonies have got
their senior members along with youngsters to work on registration.
Sai Ramesh, a resident of Malkajgiri said, "I am co-ordinating for more than
500 people in my colony. I am helping senior citizens to download apps and
register. They are trying at different times and some of them get the slot
while others keep on trying. Hardly five people are able to register every
day from the people I am coordinating with."
There are senior citizens, students and also employees in the waiting list
for vaccination.
Dr C.R.K. Prasad said, "In our hospital, we are getting requests from the
neighbourhood but vaccines are not available. I get the stock once a week
and this is over in three days. After that, I have to wait for a week to
apply and then it has to be cleared by district medical and health
officials. It is a long and tedious process."
Corporate hospitals are acquiring stocks for a week and they are also
facilitating registration. There are administration charges of Rs 250 plus the
vaccine cost. Thus, each dose in the corporate hospitals is costing Rs 850 for
Covishield and Rs 1,250 for Covaxin.
The shortage is expected to be till the end of June. After that, there will
be sufficient stocks.
A health official said, “Doses cannot be distributed as there is concern
about pilferage, wastage and black marketing. Due to this reason, corporate
registered hospitals are being given preference as they have the cold
storage facility and patients there are paying and taking the vaccine. So,
the supply to them is constant. The small hospitals will be provided with
the vaccine once there is sufficient stock."
Hospitals and community halls are having crowds in the mornings as people
are coming to inquire about vaccines. Those who have got slots are also
found to be waiting as often the number of people is more than the vaccine
doses available.
