During an inspection at a five-star hotel on Sunday, May 30, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar found several COVID-19 vaccine doses stored in a regular refrigerator violating the stipulated norms of vaccine storage.
The Mayor conducted the inspection at The Lalit Hotel in Andheri East, during which some Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials accompanied her.
"द ललित"या पंचतारांकित हॉटेलमधील लसीकरण केंद्राची महापौर किशोरी पेडणेकर यांनी आज पाहणी केली.या पाहणी दरम्यान लस ठेवण्यासाठी असलेल्या शीत पेट्याचे व्यवस्थित परिरक्षण होत नसल्याचे महापौरांच्या निदर्शनास आले.@AUThackeray @mybmc pic.twitter.com/7LKAmrskHy
— Kishori Pednekar (@KishoriPednekar) May 30, 2021
It was found that the Covaxin doses stored in the refrigerator were sealed. However, storage of COVAXIN in a normal fridge is against the protocol as it needs to be stored in cold capacity at a temperature between 2–8 degrees celsius. Therefore, an inquiry has been ordered, she said.
While the staff and management said that they have a tie-up with Criticare Hospital to conduct the vaccination drive at the hotel's premises.
Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine: Mulund housing society becomes first to give Covishield jabs
She also questioned, “How did Criticare procure COVAXIN doses when it has been unavailable to the BMC?” Highlighting that storage of vaccine in a normal refrigerator can result in side-effects to those vaccinated with the said doses, therefore, an inquiry will be carried out in the matter, Pednekar added.
The mayor further mentioned that the hospital had procured the COVID-19 vaccines from the Central Government, which the civic and state authorities were not aware of.
As per the proposal, the people, who do not have family members to look after them after vaccination, can stay in the hotel after they take a jab. We were told that 500 people have been vaccinated in the hotel, Pednekar stated.
Meanwhile, a BMC official said that the hotel is not to be blamed, but at the same time it was the responsibility of the hospital which tied up with the hotel and it did not adhere to the norms concerning the cold storage of vaccines.
Earlier this month, the BMC had issued a detailed guideline, permitting housing societies and workplaces (private) to tie up with private hospitals/ Covid vaccination centres (PCVC) to hold these drives on their premises, subject to the availability of stocks.
Also Read: Free vaccination drive for students with confirmed admission in International Universities
Share
Tweet
