People forced to travel far as vax unavailable in most PHCs

Madurai: As vaccines are unavailable at primary health centres (PHCs), people are forced to travel to other Upgraded Primary Health Centres and Government Hospitals to get the shots in Madurai district.

Many people, who have taken their first jab, are waiting for the second dose after completing six weeks duration.

“I have been visiting the Kovilpappakudi PHC once in two days to check the availability of vaccine as the time to get second jab has come. I am being asked to go to Samayanallur, which is far away,” said a 50-year-old woman from Koodalpudur, who does not want to be named.

B Pandiaraja, member of Madurai district vigilance and monitoring committee said that more than 700 people have taken first jab in the Kovilpappakudi and more than 150 of them are waiting to get the second dose. But, not all can travel far to get the vaccine.

“The available vaccine should be equally distributed throughout the district. There are three PHCs under Samayanallur Upgraded PHCs. While vaccines are not provided to Kovilpappakudi and Kulamangalam PHCs, somehow it is given only to Kancharampettai PHC,” Pandiaraja said. A health official from Madurai district said that vaccinations were allowed in all PHCs in the initial days since adequate vaccines were available. At present there is a shortage and they are rationalizing in such a way so that wastage can be minimized.

“There are 54 PHCs and 13 Upgraded PHCs. Vaccines re now distributed only to Upgraded PHCs. We have insisted the PHCs to call up all those, who supposed to take second vaccine and direct them to visit nearby Upgraded PHCs,” the health official added.

V P Manikandan, a social activist urged that government to procure adequate doses at the earliest.