Private centres cut jab cost, tap CSR funds to use up idle vaccine stock

PUNE: Private hospitals in Pune are using ingenious methods to clear stockpiled doses of Covid vaccine. While Bharati hospital has become the first private hospital in the city to reduce the cost of Covishield by Rs100, others are tapping CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds for inoculation of citizens who cannot afford the cost of vaccine, and resorting to inter-hospital exchange of doses to use up the idle stock.

Approximately 2.5 to 3 lakh doses are lying with over 200 private vaccination centres in Pune district, said Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director, health services, Pune circle.

Jitendra Oswal, deputy medical director, Bharati hospital said, “We have reduced the cost of Covishield from Rs780 to Rs680. This is to encourage more people to complete their vaccination regime of two doses.”

Skin specialist Snehal Porwal, founder, Healing Hands Clinic, “We are also planning to offer a discount on Covid vaccination so that those who want to get the shots in private centres feel encouraged to do so.”

“Corporates houses are promoting Covid vaccination through private hospitals by offering CSR funds for inoculation of the poor and needy. This move, in a way, is helping in using up the vaccine stock in the private sector,” said Sanjay Patil, chairman of the Indian Medical Association’s Hospital Board of India (HBI).

The newly introduced 'transfer stock' feature on the CoWIN portal has helped in quick exchange and utilisation of unused doses lying with private hospitals in Pune.

“Using the stock transfer option, I could get the required vaccine vials from another private hospital,” said Nivedita Oswaldirector and paediatrician, Parasmani hospital.