Mumbai: Private hospitals in the city have doubled the number of covid vaccine doses compared to the public center in August.
Spurt in demand for paid vaccination is likely to be driven by acute deficiencies in public centers, where drives are not held on six days so far this month.
Data from BMC shows private centers have provided a dose of 5.7 lakh between 1 August and 15.
In comparison, the free vaccine center carried out by BMC and the state government has been given only 2.9 lakh doses.
General centers have no drive on August 4, 12 and 13 because of the unavailability of vaccines.
The remaining day is Sunday when the drive is detained.
Paid vaccination requests have witnessed a 41% decline in the dosage given in July.
Public Health Researcher Dr.
Ravi Duggal said there was every possibility that the private sector looked in a hurry again because of Frequent Stockouts in public centers.
Also, with local train travel related to complete vaccination, people may have a little choice but choose paid vaccination.
“People who spend hours traveling by bus can finally take the train, but there is a vaccination warning.
So, even if it’s out of reach, many can stretch themselves to vaccinate,” he said.
Complete vaccination costs are anywhere between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,600.
Private hospitals said the increase in footfall was expected to be people from the age group of 18-44, which had taken the first dose in May, now becoming eligible for the second dose.
“These are people who have taken their first shot with us,” said Joy Chakraborty, Coo of P D Hinduja.
At least 9 lakh people will qualify for the second shot in Mumbai until August.
Dr.
Santosh Shetty, Executive Director of the Kokilaben Hospital, said the housing community had begun to ask for the second dose.
“I will not say there is a large increase in demand, but some increase is there.
There are still skepticism and fear because of fraud,” he said.
Of the 80.5 doses of lakh given in Mumbai, 43% have been in the private sector.
“The deficiency is completely from our control.
But one way we try to bridge the gap is through the CSR initiative,” said a citizenship official.
Ironically, the official added while they struggled to stock up every few days, personal orders are now filled in 3-5 days placed on Cowin.