Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Sep 23: It is learnt that the state is facing shortage of the 0.5 milli syringes. Two weeks ago syringes were supplied from the center to the state. However, as the covid vaccination drive got pace on September 17, birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state is facing shortage of syringes.

The union government had placed orders for 230 million syringes at the end of 2020 with Hindustan Syringe and medical equipment and ISCON Surgicals Limited. It is said that the stock is over as of now.

Due to the shortage of the 0.5 milli syringes, some officials are supplying the 2 milli syringes. District health officers are saying that bigger syringes may result in leakage of vaccine while administering the same. The 0.5 ml syringes are suitable for Covid vaccination as the health workers can easily remove the dose from the bottles. This will not result in any wastage.

Assistant commissioners of some districts had mentioned shortage of syringes with chief minister Basavaraj Bommai recently. The state needs one crore syringes per month with the increase in pace of vaccination. The state administration has asked the respective districts to buy syringes on their own if required. However, a health officer says that the cost of syringe, if bought in huge quantities by the state government will come down to Rs three or Rs four, whereas if bought in small quantities by the district administration their cost would go up to Rs 11.