MUMBAI: In an important change of stance, the state has decided to offer a choice of vaccine in the centres currently administering Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Earlier this week, 23 district hospitals and four medical colleges were told that they could take doses of Covishield as well. Sources said low acceptance of Covaxin could be one of the reasons why a choice was offered.
The decision came as a surprise to many, mainly because the Centre, at the beginning of the nationwide vaccination drive, had laid down healthcare workers will not get to choose between Covaxin and Covishield. Centres like JJ Hospital in Mumbai have already received 1,000 doses of Serum Institute’s Covishield, which it plans to administer on Fridays and Saturdays. It has designated Monday to Thursday for Covaxin.
Dr Dilip Patil, state immunisation officer, said, “Yes, in centres that were previously giving only Covaxin, both vaccines will be available now. However, no two vaccines will be given in one session. One session will use only one vaccine to avoid any mix-up.” The state official didn’t divulge why such a call was taken. Numbers show a little over 5,500 recipients have taken Covaxin that is being administered in a ‘clinical trial mode’. Over 5.8 lakh have taken Covishield.
At JJ, over 900 doctors have taken Covaxin so far. Dr Lalit Sankhe said there was no demand from staffers for Covishield, but he was offered to take 1,000 doses and offer it to anyone keen to take it. At Amravati’s district hospital too, they were told to take the doses. Interestingly, not all centres have agreed to take a second vaccine. Government Medical College, Aurangabad, for instance, has said those willing to take Covishield could take it from the nearest centre. Vaccination rollout in private hospitals remained partially successful.