LUCKNOW: With a limited quota of doses supplied, many seeking a second shot of Covid-19 vaccine through on-site registration mode had to face disappointment on Saturday.
A number of people, who reached various centres in the city, could not get the shot due to the limited quota of doses supplied in comparison to the lot supplied for those who booked slots online in advance.
Starting last week, the health department had announced to run a special drive on Saturdays for those in the 18-44 years age group looking to take the second dose of vaccine but could not book slots online. It was then announced that on Saturdays walk-in inoculation facility will be available to all age groups along with the option of advance booking. Officers had also assured that enough vaccines will be supplied to cater to people coming to take the jab in both the modes.
However, on Saturday, there were complaints that vaccination centres were provided limited vials for the on-site-registration mode, hence, many reaching centres 2-3 hours after the start of the drive were told that the quota allotted for their category is over.
Sona Shukla (36), a working woman, who had been unsuccessfully trying to book the slot to get a second dose for several days, reached BRD Hospital in Mahanagar after reading in newspaper about the availability of on-the-spot registration facility on Saturdays.
“I stood in the queue for an hour and when my turn came, the staff told me that this facility is available only to 45 years and above. I will have to book the slot. I told them about the newspaper report, but the man at the registration counter said that he is not aware of any such guideline,” she told TOI.When TOI spoke to senior officers of the hospital, they said that the staff misled the people. “We were allotted 400 doses – 300 for online booking category and 100 for on-site registration. The latter was consumed within two hours because of the huge turnout,” said an officer.
Similarly, the vaccination centre at TB Hospital in Balaganj was also given 100 doses for the on-spot facility. Rajendra Kumar (42), who reached at around 1 pm, said “Officials here are saying stock is over, come early next time.”
District Immunization Officer Dr MK Singh said, “After receiving several such complaints, we have decided to increase the quota and provide an equal number of doses for walk-in and advance booking categories from next Saturday.”
