MUMBAI: Over 47 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses are available with the private healthcare sector in the state as paid immunizations hit a record low in October.
Where once there used to be a queue of serpents in many places. private hospitalPeople now have to wait for the beneficiaries to gather in sufficient numbers before opening the vial. Vaccination in the private sector in Mumbai declined by 73 per cent in October as compared to September.
The daily average of private immunizations in the state has recently fallen to less than 25,000, which is about a third of the average during the peak. Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary (health), said, “The private sector is of late giving 18,000 to 24,000 doses per day.”
While vaccination has slowed even at free centres, paid facilities have declined, raising concerns about dose wastage. Sources said some hospitals are also offering vaccine stocks to other centers at subsidized rates. Considering the current rate of vaccination, it could take six months or more for the private sector to finish the 47 lakh doses—mostly with hospitals in Mumbai.
Experts believe that the state must find a way to mobilize the dose, as around 2.6 crore people are yet to receive a single pill. Dr Subhash Salunkhe, an advisor to the state, said the state should give an option to private hospitals to either use the dose in the next one month or hand it over to the district health authority.
73% reduction in paid vaccine doses in the city this month
Dr Salunkhe said: “The vaccine dose lying with private hospitals or providers should not be allowed to run out. Arrangements for compensation or reimbursement should be made by the Government of India to the hospital concerned (for handing over the dose to the District Health Authority).”
Mumbai, which has seen the highest share of paid vaccinations in the state, has seen the sharpest decline. Less than three lakh doses were given at private centers in October, a drop of 73 per cent from September, when 11.1 lakh doses were given. In August also 11 lakh paid doses were given in Mumbai. Several hospital heads told TOI that they have stopped ordering fresh supplies in view of lack of demand.
The hospitals in Maharashtra have bought the highest number of doses in the country. By the first week of October in the state, private hospitals had given more than 1.2 crore doses. Mumbai saw the highest paid vaccinations (55.36 lakhs), followed by Pune (40 lakhs) and Thane (20 lakhs).
State officials said the lion’s share of the 47 lakh doses in Maharashtra is lying near a handful of hospitals in Mumbai. A head of the hospital said that in Mumbai, private doses are being used mainly under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Joy Chakraborty, COO, PD Hinduja Hospital said that except for CSR, the demand for paid immunization is over. “Those who can afford the vaccination have already taken the dose. Most hospitals are no longer ordering fresh stock,” he said. In Chakraborty’s opinion, the demand for paid vaccination can see a revival only if the government approves a third shot for healthcare workers and immunocompromised people in 2022. In Hinduja, the daily vaccination has come down from 2,000 to 300 at present.
Dr Gautam Bhansali of Bombay Hospital, who is facilitating vaccination under CSR, said those who cannot afford it or are not prepared for vaccination are left to take doses in cities like Mumbai. He said hospitals would be ready for vaccinations outside Mumbai or larger cities, provided there was a demand for paid shots. “We don’t think vaccines will be wasted. Now, hospitals are also allowed to transfer doses to other centers if needed,” he said.
Where once there used to be a queue of serpents in many places. private hospitalPeople now have to wait for the beneficiaries to gather in sufficient numbers before opening the vial. Vaccination in the private sector in Mumbai declined by 73 per cent in October as compared to September.
The daily average of private immunizations in the state has recently fallen to less than 25,000, which is about a third of the average during the peak. Pradeep Vyas, principal secretary (health), said, “The private sector is of late giving 18,000 to 24,000 doses per day.”
While vaccination has slowed even at free centres, paid facilities have declined, raising concerns about dose wastage. Sources said some hospitals are also offering vaccine stocks to other centers at subsidized rates. Considering the current rate of vaccination, it could take six months or more for the private sector to finish the 47 lakh doses—mostly with hospitals in Mumbai.
Experts believe that the state must find a way to mobilize the dose, as around 2.6 crore people are yet to receive a single pill. Dr Subhash Salunkhe, an advisor to the state, said the state should give an option to private hospitals to either use the dose in the next one month or hand it over to the district health authority.
73% reduction in paid vaccine doses in the city this month
Dr Salunkhe said: “The vaccine dose lying with private hospitals or providers should not be allowed to run out. Arrangements for compensation or reimbursement should be made by the Government of India to the hospital concerned (for handing over the dose to the District Health Authority).”
Mumbai, which has seen the highest share of paid vaccinations in the state, has seen the sharpest decline. Less than three lakh doses were given at private centers in October, a drop of 73 per cent from September, when 11.1 lakh doses were given. In August also 11 lakh paid doses were given in Mumbai. Several hospital heads told TOI that they have stopped ordering fresh supplies in view of lack of demand.
The hospitals in Maharashtra have bought the highest number of doses in the country. By the first week of October in the state, private hospitals had given more than 1.2 crore doses. Mumbai saw the highest paid vaccinations (55.36 lakhs), followed by Pune (40 lakhs) and Thane (20 lakhs).
State officials said the lion’s share of the 47 lakh doses in Maharashtra is lying near a handful of hospitals in Mumbai. A head of the hospital said that in Mumbai, private doses are being used mainly under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Joy Chakraborty, COO, PD Hinduja Hospital said that except for CSR, the demand for paid immunization is over. “Those who can afford the vaccination have already taken the dose. Most hospitals are no longer ordering fresh stock,” he said. In Chakraborty’s opinion, the demand for paid vaccination can see a revival only if the government approves a third shot for healthcare workers and immunocompromised people in 2022. In Hinduja, the daily vaccination has come down from 2,000 to 300 at present.
Dr Gautam Bhansali of Bombay Hospital, who is facilitating vaccination under CSR, said those who cannot afford it or are not prepared for vaccination are left to take doses in cities like Mumbai. He said hospitals would be ready for vaccinations outside Mumbai or larger cities, provided there was a demand for paid shots. “We don’t think vaccines will be wasted. Now, hospitals are also allowed to transfer doses to other centers if needed,” he said.
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