Shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Dibrugarh? DC Pallav Gopal Jha clarifies

DIBRUGARH: Amid murmurs of a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Upper Assam's Dibrugarh amid another spike in virus cases, the district's Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha has clarified that "there is no shortage of Covid vaccine in Dibrugarh."

"There is no shortage of Covid vaccine in Dibrugarh as such. Presently, we have around 6.000 doses of Covishield and Caovaxin vaccines. I have talked to Joint Director, health services and MD, National Health Mission," Jha told reporters today.

The office of joint director of health services (JDHS) on Thursday wrote a letter (Jt. DHS/Covid-19/Vaccination/2020-21/2193 dated April 9, 2021) to four private hospitals instructing them to continue with only the “second dose of COVID-19 vaccine” due to “acute shortage”.

JDHS Dr Krishna Kemprai said that it has been decided to stop the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine until further orders at private hospitals.”

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It is true that demand is more. We have written for more doses and the government is arranging to send the same. Hopefully, the shortage issue will be taken care of very soon," said Jha.

Asked about the district administration's preparedness to deal with the COVID-19's second wave, he said, "The Covid19 is on the rising trend in the district. We are monitoring the situation carefully.

Testing at the airport, railway station and random testing in the town have been increased manifold."

Jha says that the district administration is now targetting 5,000 tests per day so that they can know the actual spread in the second wave.

"At the same time, we appeal to people to be careful. People are also aware of the precautions to be taken. With the experience of last year and readiness, hope we will be tackling the situation."

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