No swine flu vaccines available at government hospitals in Pimpri - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

No swine flu vaccines available at government hospitals in Pimpri

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByShrinivas Deshpande
Jul 19, 2017 11:44 AM IST

Private hospitals are charging almost Rs 700-800 for a single dose of the ‘Tamil Flu’ vaccine.

Pune Two days after an H1N1 flu patient died in city, vaccine shortages around the city are creating anxiety and concern to the residents. Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital Pimpri have completely run out of the H1N1 Influenza vaccine of swine flu

Health experts have also warned of an outbreak of swine flu and dengue this monsoon season.(HT PHOTO)
Health experts have also warned of an outbreak of swine flu and dengue this monsoon season.(HT PHOTO)

Dr Anil Roy, head of PCMC Medical Department said, “we are facing a shortage of H1N1 Influenza vaccine from the past 10 days.We have ordered H1N1 Influenza from the state health department before week, but are still waiting for its arrival. It will be available within the next 15 days 

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

 All the citizens are under threat of H1N1 as it is a highly communicable disease, especially during heavy monsoon. People are concerned about their safety as there is not even a single vaccine of swine flu available at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal hospital to protect the citizens from the H1N1 influenza infection threat. 

 “There is no vaccination available at any of the government hospitals in PCMC. Our children will have nothing to protect them from the infection that is taking many lives these days,” said Sanjay Jagtap, father of a four-year old. 

Doctors and many other consultants, who had undertaken a public awareness campaign, had recommended that everyone should be vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza. The health authorities of PMC believe that government’s hospitals are the pivot around which the protection of the citizens revolve. If these hospitals are not providing vaccines, then it is difficult for people to purchase these vaccines from private hospitals as they are charging almost Rs 700-800 for single dose of the vaccine, which is not affordable for many. Health experts have also warned of an outbreak of swine flu and dengue this monsoon season. 

There are no influenza vaccines available in eight PCMC hospitals in city and authorities in the health department have expressed their helplessness over the issue. YCMH administration had issued an order about procuring 1000 vaccines from a private distributor for emergency. 

“The best time to get vaccinated against H1N1 is at the beginning of the flu season, which is autumn. Patients who have a high risk of getting the disease including pregnant women,diabetes patients and high blood pressure patients needs the vaccination on a high priority. We have already conducted a vaccination camp in which 6300 pregnant women were vaccinated,” said Dr Roy, PCMC health department head. Diagnosis, testing and drugs are the three imperative pegs without which the situation is only going to worsen, he added. 

 People are concerned of the low pace at which the administration and government are facilitating the procurement of the vaccination. The vaccines are being manufactured in India and its procurement should be prioritised by government as many in the city are in dire need of the vaccine.  

According the PCMC health department, three swine flu patients were admitted in YCMA, Birla hospital and Niramay hospital. When contacted, officials from health department and hospitals from Pune stated that there was no shortage of medicines including Tamil Flu for the H1N1 patients in the city.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On