Bihar: Sealed vaccine vials found in garbage in Buxar

PATNA: Half a dozen sealed vials of Covishield vaccine were found dumped in the garbage on Raghunathpur primary health centre (PHC) campus under Brahmapur block in Buxar district on Sunday. Pictures and videos of the vials have gone viral.
Buxar civil surgeon Dr Jitendra Nath has constituted a three-member team to investigate the incident. The team comprising additional chief medical officer (ACMO), district immunization officer (DIO) and district programme manager (DPM) has been asked to submit the inquiry report by Monday, Dr Nath told TOI.
“The district health office received the information from the locals that some unused vials of Covid vaccine were found in the garbage near the Raghunathpur PHC on Saturday.On receiving the information, I formed a team to verify the matter. Wastage of vaccine is not acceptable and if such things have happened, action will be taken against those responsible for this,” Dr Nath said. ACMO Bhatt said, “It is too early to say anything as we are still investigating the matter. We have found 3-4 unused vials of vaccine from the garbage near the Raghunathpur PHC.”
The PHC incharge, Dr Vinod Kumar, said Covishield vials had been found in the garbage. “We are inquiring about the team of health workers who had been provided the vials. By matching the batch number written on the vaccine vials and tally sheet given to the verifiers, we will find out which team was given how many shots and how many people had been administered the vaccine doses,” he said.
“Being the incharge, I am also responsible for this negligence. But we are investigating the matter and legal action will be taken against the guilty health workers,” he added.