PUNE: More people were vaccinated at private hospital sites than government centres in June.
Data shows private hospitals vaccinated nearly 9.84 lakh citizens last month. Around 7.12 lakh citizens got their jabs at civic sites.
Officials said the numbers also indicated preference. A more orderly vaccination process, less waiting time and effective crowd management may have worked in the favour of private sites, officials said. Most of the beneficiaries who preferred private sites were from the 18-44 age group.
Snehal Porwal, founder of the Healing Hands clinic, attributed the gap in response to demand and supply. “Low supply of vaccines in May had already resulted in increased demand. Once private hospitals came into the picture, and availability of vaccines improved, beneficiary turnouts rose,” she said.
Dhananjay Kelkar, medical director of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said they are vaccinating at least 3,000 people daily. Aarti Irani, Jehangir Hospital’s public relations officer, said they have covered over 61,000 citisens since drives resumed in the third week of May.
Sanjay Patil, chairman of the IMA’s Hospital Board of India, said, “Unavailability of doses at government sites eventually helped units offering paid shots. Response from firms and housing societies also led to good pace.”
