PUNE: The supply of
Sputnik vaccine at the city hospitals has eased but there are few takers of it now because nearly 85% of the district’s eligible population has taken the first dose of Covishield or Covaxin.
The number of hospitals administering
Sputnik
in Pune and
Pimpri Chinchwad
civic limits has gone up to eight because of better stock against three in July. Hospitals administering Sputnik said its supply eased in August, but the demand for the first dose had fallen significantly.
Dr Anant Kulkarni, deputy medical superintendent, Shatayu Hospital, Hinjewadi, said, “About three-four months ago, there was a shortage of Sputnik. We placed an order a few months ago but we couldn’t get it. The supply has eased now and the company (Dr Reddy’s) recently supplied us three lots of first doses —each containing 1,200 first doses — and two lots of 1,200 each second doses, besides ice-lined refrigerators.”
“A bulk of district’s 18-44 population — the age group that showed high demand for Sputnik — took other vaccines as the first dose when Sputnik was in short supply. They cannot take Sputnik now because the second dose will have to be of the same vaccine. Hence, Sputnik’s demand for has fallen, with some centres reporting only three-four beneficiaries a day during weekdays,” he said.
Hospitals said unused Sputnik doses would be diverted to corporate tie-ups as the citizens’ demands had fallen.
Dr Bhagyashri Pujari, in-charge, admin, New Life Child Care Clinic & Hospital, said, “We got Sputnik stocks in August. We have so far got only first doses.” Dr Pujari said the demand for Sputnik was high in July. “Now, several hospitals started administering it, which is why the demand has fallen significantly,” she said.
Dr Madhav Chavan, managing director, Phoenix Hospital, said, “Earlier, Sputnik first doses given per day at the hospital were 300-plus, which have now dropped to 30-40 .”
Abrarali Dalal, CEO, Sahyadri Hospitals, said the
Sputnik V doses supply was now stable. “About 2,000 first doses and 350 second doses are available in Sahyadri across Pune, Nashik and Karad. Currently, around 2,400 more vaccines are in transit,” he said.
Neha Madaan is a senior feature writer at The Times of India, Pun...
Read MoreNeha Madaan is a senior feature writer at The Times of India, Pune. She holds an M A degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from University of Pune. She covers tourism, heritage development and its conservation, apart from an array of subjects such as civic issues, environment, astronomy, civic school education as well as social issues concerning persons with disabilities. Her interests include metaphysical research and animal rights.
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