It is learnt that there is an acute shortage of Covid-19 vaccine doses in Mumbai. This has led to 75 of the 120 vaccination centres across Mumbai suspend the vaccination drive and the remaining centres are likely to suspend the drive soon as the available stock is fast depleting. The vaccine stock in Rajasthan is reportedly to finish in two days. The Goa government has reiterated that there is no shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the state and that it will continue to hold special vaccination camps in villages. This is good news for Goans. Wherever in the country there is a shortage of vaccine there is possibility of the benefactor being given the second dose of whichever vaccine is available in the stock. It is pertinent to note that the UN health agency has recommended that the same product of the vaccine should be used for both the doses as interchangeability of vaccine is not advisable. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated that there was “no adequate data” on switching COVID-19 vaccines and has called for studies on so-called mixing and matching between vaccines. India already has two approved COVID-19 vaccines, ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ that are currently being administered to eligible citizens. Since there is no adequate data available on switching of vaccines, it would be desirable for each benefactor to receive the same brand of vaccine as the first and second dose.
