Officially 10% wastage of Covid vaccine in Rajouri district.

Shyam Sood
Rajouri March 15:–Official sources said that about 10% wastage of Covid-19 vaccine has been reported in all session sites in Rajouri district, which is a matter of worry for the higher authorities.

The matter has been taken seriously by Director General Family Welfare.Deputy Chief Medical Officer Rajouri has been asked to look into the matter and take remedial measures.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on Monday has issued directions to Medical Superintendent, Associated District Hospital and to all the Block Medical Officers to take necessary steps so that the wastage of Covid-19 vaccine in all the sessions should not exceed 4% in the future.
He/She advised the BMOs to open the Covid-19 vial only when eight or more persons are present for the vaccination.

The main reason for the wastage of Covid-19 vaccine is that the employees open the vials, even when between 3-4 people come for the vaccination.
It is very difficult to follow such directions because sometimes people (less than 8) force the employees for the vaccination that can’t be denied, said a senior health officer.

Each 5 ml vial of the Covid-19 vaccine has 10 doses in total. “Once opened for inoculation needs to be fully used within four hours, else remaining doses go waste and need to be destroyed” said Dr, Mehmood, BMO, Manjakot.

A senior health officials said that it is very difficult for the health officials deputed at the sites of sessions (deputed for vaccination) to control the wastage of vaccination.

“People living in remote and hilly areas reaching the session sites after covering long distances on foot & they can’t be denied for the vaccination or asked to wait till more than 8 people were present for the vaccination” he said.

In remote and rural areas, even the senior citizens, avoiding vaccination for many reasons, including religious, due to opposition of the vaccination, apprehensions of side-effects etc, and are coming in less number for the vaccination.