Many private hospitals in Calcutta are worried that if they are not allowed enough time to ramp up infrastructure and deploy personnel, the demand for Covid-19 vaccination could overwhelm them once doses are available for the general public.
Officials of private hospitals are calling up the state health department, seeking clarity on the plan for the next phase. But till Friday, not much detail was available.
The Centre has announced that Covid vaccines will be offered from March 1 to all people above 60 and those above 45 with chronic health disorders.
Many private hospitals said they were willing to vaccinate people above 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities if they were allowed to do so with the existing infrastructure and personnel. It will be difficult to open more vaccination sites and deploy additional personnel because most hospitals are full with patients.
Private hospitals seek Covid vaccine clarity Some said they might not be in a position to provide infrastructure and personnel for the if it goes on for an indefinite period
The Centre is planning to start Covid-19 vaccination for two priority groups among the general public and private hospitals are asking how long they will have to provide infrastructure for the campaign and whether they need to allot more space and personnel.
Some private hospitals said they might not be in a position to provide infrastructure and personnel for the vaccination programme if it goes on for an indefinite period. Others said they are ready to vaccinate the general public.