Pune: 18-44 Years Group People Rush To Private Hospitals For First Dose Of COVID19 Vaccine
Sumit Singh
Pune, 23rd May 2021: Hundreds of people from 18-44 years group rushed to private hospitals on Saturday and Sunday for their first dose of vaccine against Coronavirus disease (COVID19).
Many people believed that walk-in is allowed but they had to return empty-handed as the vaccine is being given to only those who have a prior online appointment through Cowin.gov.in
Kumar Gandharv had tweeted on Saturday, “Scenes at vaccination center @symbiosishospital no social distancing, complete mismanagement, no time slot no token, waiting in queue since 9.30, no movement in queue either. Request relevant authorities to step in.”
Suraj tweeted, “Social distancing has gone for a toss! People are fully packed here under this roof at Symbiosis University Hospital. I gave up and came back home. Full Risky! Pathetic Management by Symbiosis!”
When contacted, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director of Symbiosis Society, said, “Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Center had a large crowd of people. However, the vaccine will be given only to those who are registered on Cowin. Symbiosis Hospital currently has 50,000 doses of vaccine available, so in the next few days, all registered people will be able to get the vaccine between 9 am and 5 pm. The price of the vaccine is fixed at Rs 850 per dose.”
Pune Municipal Corporation’s Additional Commissioner Rubal Agarwal also clarified that private hospitals can give vaccines with prior appointment only to avoid the crowding.
MCCIA president Sudhir Mehta said, “There is a lot of crowding happening at many hospitals for vaccinations. This will result in many additional cases. Some better solution for this must be found quickly. We are months into the vaccination cycle and the confusion continues.”
