In Gzb, no jabs for seniors at district govt hospital
GHAZIABAD: The Sanjay Nagar Combined District Hospital on Monday witnessed chaotic scenes after most of the senior citizens who arrived to get their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine were turned away. The hospital is a prominent vaccination centre in the city.
Senior citizens, who waited in long queues at the hospital for their second dose, said the staff had earlier asked them to come on Monday. “But even on Monday, they did not entertain us and asked us to return later. I took my first dose on April 7. I came to the centre with my wife after spending ₹200 on auto fare. We waited in a queue since morning, but there was no announcement, or any notice. The staff turned us away without jabs and asked us to come three months after the first dose,” said 67-year-old Shivraj Singh, a resident of Kalka Garhi.
Praveen Jain, another 67-year-old at the centre, said that on the vaccination card, the hospital had given May 10 for second dose. “But they said they were out of stock. My wife and I came Saturday but they asked us to come on Monday. On Monday, we stood in a queue since
8.30am. At 10am, the hospital put up a notice that only first doses will be given,” said Jain, a resident of Raj Nagar Extension.
Notably, the Sanjay Nagar hospital predominantly offers Covishield vaccine. On May 13, the Central government extended the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine from six-eight weeks to 12-16 weeks.
Sixty-four-year-old Sunita Gupta, a resident of Sanjay Nagar, said: “On May 15 (the date of her second dose), they said that vaccines were out of stock. They said to come on May 17. After three hours, they asked me to come three months from the
first dose,” she added.
Dr Sanjay Teotia, chief medical superintendent of the hospital, said there was a huge rush Monday. “Earlier, gap between two doses was four weeks, and now it is extended to about three months. Also, we received another brand of vaccine stock on Saturday, and it could not be administered to beneficiaries who were given Covishield as first dose. So, they were asked to come after a gap of three months from their first dose,” he said.
Despite repeated attempts, chief medical officer Dr NK Gupta could not be reached for a comment.