Getting second dose becomes a tall order
With pvt hosps not giving jabs currently, several beneficiaries say they face problems even at govt-run centres
LUCKNOW: The people whose second Covid vaccine dose is due say they are facing problems.
Sample this. Seeking a second dose for her mother, a middleaged woman, who did not wish to be named, said, “My mother’s second Covid vaccine dose was due. The private hospital in Mahanagar, where the first shot was given, said they have stopped vaccinating. When I visited the nearest government centre, the stock was finished, and they called me again the next day.”
This is particularly so with those who took their first jab at private hospitals here.
When asked, CMO (Lucknow) Dr Sanjay Bhatnagar said, “We shall review the availability of vaccines at government centres and if the number of beneficiaries is going up, we will ensure more doses are available so that none returns without the dose.”
Lucknow has administered 6.50 lakh doses of the Covid vaccine since January 16.
Another beneficiary who went to a vaccination centre in Gomti Nagar said, “The staff there told me they had just enough for the pre-registered beneficiaries. Hence, I should come the next day.”
“Hundreds are reporting back for their second dose daily to private hospitals. Abrupt closure of vaccination by private hospitals has come as a shock,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity hospital. When the private hospitals, too, were giving jabs, there were over 160 vaccination centres here. At present, only government centres are giving jabs. Their number is below 90 since May 1. Nevertheless, Dr MK Singh, in charge of vaccination in Lucknow, said, “We have 50,000 doses and more shall reach in the next two days.” Across the state, there are 1.50 lakh doses for the 18- 44 group and over 12 lakh doses for the 45+ category, said an official.