PUNE: Public health experts and doctors in the region have now urged the administration to give waiting
healthcare workers (HCWs) their second dose of
Covid-19 vaccines as soon as possible.
Scores of patient-facing health staff of private hospitals are days overdue for their follow-up shot. Delays had set in due to a shortage of Covishield vials.
Private hospitals have now said that the second dose should not be delayed any further as key staffers are being readied to handle new Covid cases.
Hospital administrators said completion of the vaccination schedule will increase staff morale and make them more confident while dealing with patients.
Jitendra Oswal, deputy medical director of Bharati, said many of the
hospital staff are still waiting for the second shot of Covishield.
He said, “For some days now, only civic-run hospitals have been administering Covishield. And the queues are long there. For HCWs then, options are limited. Private hospitals should be allowed to resume their Covishield sessions. We need to build confidence in our HCWs amid the rise in cases.”
Sanjay Patil, chairman of the Hospital Board of India, said since most healthcare workers — part of the first priority group when the Covid vaccine drive began on January 16 — were first given Covishield, the administration should ensure adequate availability.
“A special drive should be organised to cover the maximum number of beneficiaries who’re awaiting their second dose. It will generate enough confidence in them,” Patil said. Civic officials said the situation is much better than what it was a few days ago.
Rubal Agarwal, additional commissioner of the PMC, said Covishield reserves have improved after the civic body got around 30,000 doses last week. “Hospital staff can approach civic sites if they want Covishield. Now that we have enough doses, hospitals can also purchase Covishield and conduct their own sessions,” she said.