Tempers fly high as over 20 vax centres run out of stock
Chaos at most centres; senior citizens bear the brunt, many return sans a jab
More than 20 Covid vaccine centres had run out of the vaccine stock on Wednesday. They had to shut down their centres following which chaotic situation continued for the third time in a row. However senior citizens had to face the problem as they had to wait in a queue since morning and had to return without taking vaccine shots.
BMC officials said that currently they don’t have vaccine stock. Only those centres are functional, who have few doses left with them. Senior citizens urged BMC to share list of vaccination centres that are active and how many doses they can give in a single.
Suresh Kakani, BMC addi
tional commissioner, said they had received 80,000 doses on Tuesday which were distributed to the centres. “There is a possibility that more vaccine centres will be non-functional today (April 29). Moreover, 40 private vaccine centres will also not conduct vaccination drives due to unavailability of stock. We are expecting a few doses by tonight, which will be distributed to civic and
government-run he said.
The vaccination for those above 18 years of age will be only conducted if they have an adequate stock of vaccine doses. The vaccination drive was suspended at the Bandra Kurla Complex-jumbo vaccine centre and Dahisar jumbo centres. Hundreds of senior citizens had to bear the brunt of the afternoon heat and return home without a jab.
The BKC Jumbo vaccination centre signboard on Wednesday said: “Vaccine out of stock.” As a large number of people gathered outside, the staff asked people to first call the helpline before coming to the centre.
“No one responds on the helpline. This is the fourth time I have come here for the vaccine but haven’t received it,” said an upset citizen.
The BMC highlighted that 40 centres will administer vaccines till stocks last. However, when senior citizens reached the centres, the vaccine got over in a couple of hours. “I have come from Kalina with my wife. It’s such a waste for poor people. On one hand, they say come for the vaccine and then they aren’t ready,” complained an elderly couple.