Sputnik vaccine reportedly available in Karachi

Sputnik vaccine is now available in Karachi for people who want to go for private vaccinations. As per details, the vaccine is available at Karachi’s Southcity Hospital for Rs 17,268 for two shots.

Journalist Omar Quraishi shared the news on social media, saying: “Rs 17,268 for two doses of the Sputnik vaccine being charged by Karachi’s Southcity Hospital. Rs 12,268 is the price of the doses plus Rs 5,000 ‘administration charge’ by the hospital.”

Rs 17,268 for 2 doses of the Sputnik vaccine being charged by Karachi's Southcity Hospital

Rs 12,268 is the price of the doses plus Rs 5,000 "administration charge" by the hospita;l

All payments being taken in advance

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

correction – you can also pay when you get the shot

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

Later, the journalist said that he called the hospital to get some information, finding out that the whole process is a “complete mess”.

Complete mess

South City Hospital in Karachi opened up vaccine registrations briefly this morning – for the Sputnik vaccine complete with prices – details of those seeking a vaccine were asked and stored and receipts issued – payment was to be made t at time of vaccination

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

Price was Rs 17,268 — Rs 12,268 plus Rs 5,000 for two doses — then the website was no longer registering people – I rang South City and was told that it was a glitch and that website should have been up and running because there were no vaccines in hand yet

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

I asked whether those who had been given appointments and even emailed receipts would have to go through the process all over again and was told that yes they would have to do that – all over again!

What a royal mess

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

People who booked their appointments have to call for the appointment again when the system starts working.

Giving an update, Quraishi said: “Whoever managed to book an appointment for a Sputnik vaccine dose at South City Hospital in Karachi will have to re-book and go through the entire process all over again – when the system is reopened and when the hospital actually has vaccines.”

Whoever managed to book an appointment for a Sputnik vaccine dose at South City Hospital in Karachi will have to rebook and go through the entire process all over again – when the system is reopened and when the hospital actually has vaccines pic.twitter.com/DAle68tFKq

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

OMI hospital is also reportedly administering vaccinations after registration.

SPUTNIK VACCINE UPDATE FOR KARACHI: OMI hospital which had administered some doses today as walk-in has now switched to registrations

For which there's only one number!
And no online registrations

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) April 2, 2021

Meanwhile, the government has started the vaccination drive for citizens 50 and above. The government has also allowed walk-in vaccination for seniors aged 65 and above at different health centres.

Pakistan is currently battling with its third wave of COVID-19. According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), Pakistan has reported 5,234 cases and 83 deaths in the last 24 hours.