BENGALURU: A shortage of chicken pox vaccines is forcing doctors to recommend complete quarantine of patients.
Doctors have been facing a vaccine shortage since April but now the supplies have completely stopped. “While the delivery of vaccines has always been infrequent, this is the first time that we are seeing complete stoppage,” said Dr Nijaguna of Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.
Express had reported in June that doctors were worried about the shortage as the number of chicken pox cases is rising.
Dr Kartik Nagesh, Chairman and HoD, Neonatology department, Manipal Hospitals, confirmed, “For the last three months, there is a complete lull in the vaccine’s supply with most dealers.”
Chicken pox, which manifests as teardrop-sized bubbles and rashes on the body, is highly infectious. The discharge from the bubbles when they burst can spread the infection. While the vaccine is not always prescribed for adults, it is highly recommended for children.
“The vaccines do not guarantee total immunity but reduce the severity and chances of infection. It is also prescribed for adults who have never had chicken pox before,” said Dr Nijaguna.
According to doctors, dealers are saying that the companies have stopped the supply due to some corporate issues. “But why do patients have to suffer due to these things?” said a doctor.
There are three vaccines for chicken pox - Okavax, Varilix and Varivax. While Okavax has been unavailable for more than a year, there is no stock left of the other two for three months. “Most hospitals that had stock have utilised them,” said Dr Nagesh.
When Express contacted pharmacists in the city, they confirmed that there has been no supply for several months. “Repeated calls to suppliers are met with the same answer,” said a pharmacist. He said the vaccines may be available from January or February next year.
Many doctors are also angry at the government’s apathy. “While the government is aware of the issue, nobody is doing anything since chicken pox is not part of the National Immunisation Programme and it is not their duty to supply the vaccines,” said a pediatrician.
With no vaccines in the city, doctors are recommending complete quarantine of affected patients. “Chicken pox has a 95 per cent secondary rate attack which means, if 100 people come in contact with a patient, 95 of them can get it. Patients, especially children, should not come in contact with others since they can spread the disease easily,” said Dr Nijaguna.