Over 44 Lakh doses (of 10 Crore) of Covid-19 vaccines were wasted in India between January 16 and April 11, 2021.
It is important to note that most Indian states have already reported a shortage of vaccines which is predicted to amplify further after May 1, 2021. Currently, India is also facing a shortage of ventilators, oxygen equipment, antiviral drugs & injections, etc., aids for which are now pouring in from the US, UK, EU, etc.
Which states are wasting the most?
States and Union Territories that have managed zero (or minimal) wastage are West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Goa, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
High Court’s take
In a hearing last week, the High Court called the wastage ‘criminal’ blaming it on bad planning and rigid categorization of people entitled to the vaccine. HC said that the government should devise ways to register volunteers between ages of 18 & 45 who could be called to take the doses left unutilised after say 5 PM each day.*
*All doses in an opened vial need to be utilised within four to six hours or the remainder goes waste.
How does the wastage happen?
Wastage can happen at 3 stages:
During transportation
At cold chain point
The vaccination site
Doubts regarding the vaccine also have people avoiding the vaccination centres leading to wastage.
Wastage rate and factor
Generally, vaccine wastage to a certain extent is expected as part of any large vaccination drive. For each type of vaccine, wastage is to be within recommended limits.
A high vaccine wastage rate inflates vaccine demand and increases unnecessary vaccine procurement and supply chain costs.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the vaccine wastage rate should not exceed 25% with a wastage factor of 1.337.
How to avoid wastage?
Well planned sessions with pre-registered beneficiaries
Each vaccine session should serve a maximum of 100 beneficiaries
Vaccine batches should be utilized on a FIFO* basis to avoid expiry
Vial should be opened only if the site has a minimum of 10 people (1 vial = 10 doses). If not, it should be clubbed with another site in the proximity
Vaccinator training is a must
Increased awareness of the vaccine benefits
*First In First Out
The states have been asked to limit the wastage to <1% going forward.
The best way to avoid vaccine wastage (and to fight the current crisis) is to encourage every eligible citizen to take the vaccine as soon as possible.
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