Kolkata: Some private hospitals have taken the initiative to use their Covaxin stock so far, even though that nodded into the vaccine that came earlier this week.
They have started using vaccines planted at home, which are not recognized in most countries until WHO approved, in camps in place and also call potential recipients to consider taking Covaxin.
If the results are not encouraging, some hospitals may even offer Covaxin at no charge to the recipient.
“Our stock will reach the expiration date with the end of this month.
We have around 500 doses left and start offering in camps outside our site in Girish Park and in Shantiniketan.
Some have called us and say they are willing to take it while we call Some other people who have agreed.
We need at least 10 recipients to use vials that have 10 doses.
On Saturday we have a group of 10 after a long time and can use a bottle, “said CEO of Peerless Hospital Sudipta Mitra.
However, he added that the hospital would not advise patients to take Covaxin.
“We only told the recipient that it was available but did not advise them to take it.
Demand for covishield remains much higher,” said partner.
The AMRI Hospital has approached the KMC Board to help them identify residents who are not vaccinated in their ward for Covaxin doses.
“We will manage free vaccines in camps outside the location after we can identify a large number of recipients with the help of board members.
We will launch efforts from Monday and try to use as many stocks as possible.
It will be sad if the covaxin bottle is wasted because they are a source What is valuable, “said CEO of Amri Rupak Barua.
Woodlands hospital is also left with a stock of 7,000 doses.
It has provided a vaccine between 1pm and 3pm every day.
“But the demand remains low even though someone agrees,” said the director of the Woodlands and CEO of Rupali Basu.
Some others, including Belle Vue Clinic, RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) and Medica Superspecialty have spent their Covaxin stock and not refilled.
“We have obtained 2,500 doses at the beginning of vaccination but because they moved very slowly, we decided to keep using a covishield,” said Belle Vue CEO P Tondaon.
Medica has spent Covaksin stock and does not plan to get more unless there is a significant increase in demand.
“With those who agree, we see a slight increase in demand for Covaxin.
We have run out of our stock last month and will wait for a market response in the near future before getting fresh shares,” said Zonal Chief Rtiik R Venkatesh.