Vaccine shortage leads to rise in anxiety in the state

Religious organisations, communities, colonies step up for registration

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 Aadhaar 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 `250 plus the vaccine cost. Thus, each dose in the corporate hospitals is costing `850 for Covishield and `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.

CORPORATE HOSPITALS are acquiring stocks for a week and they are also facilitating registration. There are administration charges of `250 plus the vaccine cost. Thus, each dose in the corporate hospitals is costing `850 for Covishield, `1,250 for Covaxin.