In Chennai, many vaccination centers doing this inspite of strict instructions!!
Posted on: 11/Aug/2021 9:39:00 AM
As there are many people waiting for the Covaxin doses, the health department had given instructions to the healthcare staffs to administer only Covaxin for the second vaccination dose.
There are many vaccination centers in Chennai having Covaxin supply and these centers have been administering Covaxin vaccination for the first dose also in case of shortage of Covishield vaccines. This has been done to avoid wastage. No demand for the second dose of Covaxin was also cited as one of the reasons for the centers administering Covaxin for first dose.
It was later pointed out by some healthcare workers that in case of limited availability of Covishield they administer Covaxin for the first dose.
As per an officer belonging to GCC it was clear that for the last 2 days there was no Covishield stock available and many people turned up for getting vaccination. The non-availability of Covishield made the healthcare workers to administer Covaxin for the first dose. He was of the view that it was better to avoid wastage then turning away the people.
It was brought out by a vaccinating officer at Kolathur that few months back the demand for Covaxin was higher due to limited availability. Now, the situation has changed and the vaccination centers have adequate doses. Fact is that there is regular Covain supply from the Centre now. There is now no shortage of Covaxin doses as many prefer Covishield only because other countries have not approved Covaxin. Hence, there is no shortage of Covaxin for second dose.
