The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) likely involve more private hospitals to increase the number of centres offering the precautionary dose of the vaccine due to the rapid increase in Covid cases.
As per sources, only about ten private hospitals in the city currently provide Covid booster doses. Ahmedabad accounted for nearly 60% of the 140 new Covid cases reported in Gujarat on Sunday (81).
State health department data said only 4,984 precautionary doses of the vaccine were administered across the state as of Sunday, including Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (AHNA) president, Dr Bharat Gadhavi said they are in talks with the AMC to increase the number of private hospitals offering booster doses to help them achieve the target for the same.
“At present 10-odd private hospitals offer booster dose services in Ahmedabad. We feel that more hospitals should be involved in helping vaccinate people as Covid cases are on the rise. We will also send a memorandum to the AMC about the same,” said Dr Gadhavi.
Meanwhile, private hospitals are concerned about stocking Covid vaccines, which often go to waste because people have been reluctant to get vaccinated since the third wave ended. According to doctors, those who are contracting the disease at this time are displaying mostly mild symptoms.
Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Manoj Aggarwal stated,“As part of the vaccination drive 2.0 har ghar dastak we are covering children below 18 years and elders above 60 years for a free vaccination. The rest (18 to 59 years) have to pay for the booster dose and we have kept the vaccine prices at a minimum,” he said.