1.2 lakh Covaxin doses are set to expire by January-end: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike

BENGALURU: Amid fears of Covid-19 resurgence and renewed efforts by the authorities to administer booster shots, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has said that 1.2 lakh doses of Covaxin in its stocks are set to expire by January-end.
While stating that only 20% of the eligible persons in the city had taken the booster dose, the civic body said that it is planning to place orders for more Covaxin and Covishield doses.
According to BBMP special commissioner (health) Dr Trilok Chandra, the Palike is planning to indent 5 lakh doses of Covishield and 2 lakh doses of Corbevax.
Over 91 lakh people have been administered both doses of Covishield and 9 lakh have got two Covaxin doses, BBMP officials said. BBMP, however, is yet to determine the exact number of people eligible for booster shots at its facilities. The booster is currently being administered free to people aged 60 years and above and those aged above 40 and with co-morbidities at BBMP facilities.
Officials said that there could be 2.5-3 lakh people eligible for Covaxin booster dose at the civic body's facilities, while the process to determine the number of people eligible for Covishield is under way.
BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath told TOI that they will surrender Covaxin doses on expiry to the state government. However, till the date of expiry, the same will be administered to those who turn up to get the shots. Giri Nath said that on Monday a meeting will be held to discuss about indenting fresh doses. "We are holding a meeting to arrive at the number of doses which needs to ordered. Later, the request will be placed before the state government," he added.
He said: "Earlier, there was hesitancy because the eligible population did not feel the need for the shot as Covid situation had eased."
He said that after determining the eligible population for the booster dose, the Palike will go all out to cover them. Advertisements, awareness and other activities will be taken up to encourage people to take booster shots.
Giri Nath, however, asserted that the Covid situation in the city is under control and there is no need for any panic.