COVID-19: Chaos reigns in south Mumbai centres, 2 hospitals run out of vaccine shots

A long queue of beneficiaries outside a hospital in Mumbai. Pic/Suresh Karkera

In south Mumbai, beneficiaries were turned away by several vaccination centres, which were closed on Thursday due to non-avail ability of COVID-19 shots, formed a long queue at Nair Hospital.

In south Mumbai, a long queue of beneficiaries formed outside Nair hospital on Thursday, as several vaccination centres ran out of COVID-19 vaccines. Two other centres visited by mid-day were closed due to non-availability of doses.

Rupesh Kadam, a beneficiary from Charni Road, told mid-day he had come to Nair hospital after visiting Saifee Hospital in her area, which is closed for vaccination. "Vaccine is being given at Nair Hospital, but we have to wait because of the long queue," he said.

A sticker stating, ‘today vaccination is closed', pasted on the gate of Bhatia Hospital on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Gulab Shinde, a 48-year-old resident of Tardeo, said that before coming to Nair hospital she went to two centres that told her vaccines weren't being administered today. "The list of centres where vaccines are available should be made public," she said, after taking her shot.

Rajendra Sawant, 46, told mid-day, "I went to three centres but vaccines weren't available. Nair hospital has vaccines, so I am waiting."

Shots for 2 days left

Dr Vishal Rakh, supervisor of the vaccination centre at Nair Hospital, said the number of beneficiaries on Thursday was more than usual, and they "have stock for only two days".

A long queue of beneficiaries formed outside Nair hospital

At Bhatia Hospital in Tardeo, there was a notice at the entrance on Thursday, stating, ‘Today, vaccination is closed'. Bela Shah, 65, was disappointed upon reaching the facility. "We will now go to another centre and get the vaccine," Shah said. Bhatia Hospital, which was vaccinating 400 people daily, closed after 2 pm on Wednesday as the stock got over.

Ravi Jain, 54, told mid-day, "This [Bhatia Hospital] is another hospital where there is no vaccine. Now, I will go straight home, without getting vaccinated. Whose responsibility is it?"

A Bhatia Hospital employee told mid-day that he had also taken his first dose a few days ago, but now there's no certainty when more doses would come. "If the vaccine is not available, how will the common man get it." Sonali Vora, who came to Saifee Hospital with her son, had to look for other centres where vaccines were available.

People wait for their turn inside the compound, as nearby centres run out of doses, on Thursday. Pics/Suresh Karkera

"I will go where it is available," she said. Akram Khan, who lives on L T Marg, said, "I had come to get the vaccine, but it's not being given here. Now who will tell me which centre the vaccine is available at?"

At JJ hospital, Dr Lalit Sankhe said they have stock for the beneficiaries whose turn has come for the second dose. "Doses for the first round will come soon."