Covishield wastage 3% in Karnataka; national average 8.4%

BENGALURU: Nearly six weeks after the launch of vaccination drive against Covid-19, Karnataka has successfully restricted Covishield vaccine wastage at 3%, far less than the national average of 8.4% and the permitted 10%.
According to the health and family welfare department data as on February 24, Bengaluru Rural and Hassan districts have seen 10% wastage each, Bengaluru Urban 9% and Haveri and Chamarajanagar 8% each.All districts in Karnataka received Covishield vaccine for healthcare workers since January 16. Once opened, vials should be used within four hours, or else it goes waste. On the other hand, Covaxin wastage is at a high of 14%, a tad lesser than the national average of 15.8% for this vaccine, according to the department.
Dept data shows Shivamogga saw 32% vax wastage; health officer says it’s 15%-16%
Covaxin has been provided to one health institution each in Shivamogga, Ballari, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere and Hassan districts.
While each Covishield vial has 10 doses, Covaxin carries 20 doses. Some districts effectively reduced the wastage rate by ensuring the presence of at least 10 beneficiaries before opening a Covishield vial. “The wastage has been comparatively less after we began inoculating frontline workers,” a source said. Only Covishield has been used to vaccinate frontline workers.
Sources said Covaxin wastage data may not be accurate due to compilation errors. “The data reported by six institutions (which received Covaxin) on the Co-Win portal and what is reflected on the Google spreadsheet for the government are different. There is an error. We have brought this to the notice of the health ministry,” said Dr BN Rajani, state deputy director, immunisation, health and family welfare department.
As per the health department, Shivamogga has seen a 32% Covaxin wastage, but the district health officer put the figure at 15% to 16%. “Wastage is not as high as 32%. There must be an error in reporting,” said Dr Rajesh Surgehalli, district health officer.
The officer said efforts were being made to ensure the presence of at least 5-6 beneficiaries before opening a vial. “To increase the coverage of vaccination and ensure no healthcare worker is denied vaccine, we’ve to open a vial even if there are 2-3 recipients. The rest goes waste if more people do not turn up within the stipulated four hours. This will help us increase the coverage, but it also leads to wastage,” he added.