Medicos face hepatitis vaccine shortage, supply likely by Sept – Times of India

Ahmedabad: For medical students and professionals including doctors and nurses, hepatitis B vaccine is a must due to their close contact with the patients. However, several hospitals and nursing homes, especially in the private sector, are facing the vaccine shortage. City-based suppliers said that the two major producers of the vaccine have indicated that the regular supply will resume only around Sept.Dr Ripa Vaishnav, a physician with Epic Hospital, said that there is short supply of vaccine for past two months. “On an average, we would administer about 40-50 shots to both medical professionals and patients. For the medical professionals, the requirement is taking a shot and then a booster shot after a month. It is good for at least one decade as they undergo a test to ascertain the resistance level,” she said.Experts said that hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects liver and is transmitted in medical settings primarily through needles, syringes and drug-injection equipment. It can also spread if the operation theatre is not sanitized properly.Ravi Patel, a city-based supplier of medical drugs and vaccines to various hospitals, said that the supply is hit by the two India-based manufacturers. “In paediatric group, the combined vaccine is not affected where hepatitis B is a part of multiple doses. But when it comes to a single shot, it is in short supply. Majority of the suppliers are providing from the stock. The manufacturers have indicated stabilized production and supply by Sept,” he said.A letter by Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd dated May 29 indicated that Genevac-B vaccine of 0.5ml, 1ml and 10ml doses will not be available till end of Sept 2024. The letter did not mention the reason for the shortage.

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