Bihar: Vaccine shortage hits drive in Katihar district

KATIHAR: The alleged shortage of Covishield as a result of its irregular supply has hit the Covid vaccination drive in the remote areas of Katihar district. On the other hand, the inoculation drive in the town area is continuing, albeit after a gap of one or two days.
A source in the district health department told this reporter on Monday, “The acute shortage of Covishield has led to closure of several immunisation centres in the remote areas.Although the town is receiving its quota of vaccines, a large number of people living in rural areas are yet to be inoculated.”
Earlier, as many as 25,000 doses of vaccines were being administered to the beneficiaries every day. According to the source, this figure has dipped considerably due to Covishield shortage. “We do not get any prior information about the supply of vaccines,” he alleged.
The district immunisation officer, Dr D N Jha, claimed, “Altogether 7,234 people were vaccinated on August 11, 17,754 on August 12, and 4,715 on August 14.”
He added, “Dandkhora, Kursela and Korha blocks have achieved 43%, 39% and 27% immunisation coverage respectively.”