AMC runs out of yellow fever vaccines, once again!

“At present, we are out of stock of yellow fever vaccines. Please enquire a few days later.” This is what one may have heard while enquiring about yellow fever vaccine at the vaccine centre of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

Although the shortage of yellow fever vaccine was solved a month ago, the problem has returned. Those planning to go to African countries would have to wait for a few more days as the AMC vaccination centre has run out of stock creating trouble for those who had planned to fly to Africa.

AMC receives over 100 calls daily from citizens enquiring about availability of the vaccine. “But, we either ask them to wait for a few days or direct them to Gandhinagar or Mumbai in case of an emergency,” said an official of the civic body.

Surprisingly, at private medical stores, too, the vaccine is not easily available. There are only four medicine shops in the city where this vaccine is available, but in fewer numbers.

Speaking to dna, one of the citizens, who faced lot of problems in getting the vaccine, said: “The civic body was instructed to arrange (on temporary basis) for the vaccines by purchasing from private suppliers after which the government supply of vaccines was expected to begin. However, AMC’s temporary stock got exhausted by mid-June and still it has not been replenished.”

Medical officer of health, Suhas Kulkarni, said: “We are not getting vaccines as production at the Kasauli unit has stopped. However, the stock is likely to arrive by next fortnight as we have placed an order for 5,000 more doses from private suppliers.”  Around 40-50 beneficiaries used to visit the vaccination centre daily.

However, in February, 490 people took the vaccine, which increased to 566 in March. But the figures fell drastically in April with just 216 people taking the dose.