29 June,2010 10:39 AM IST | | Alifiya Khan
Even as the Serum Institute of India is yet to introduce its swine flu vaccine in the market, chemists across the city say that response to the Gujarat-company Cadila Healthcare's vaccine Vaxiflu-S, currently available in the market, is quite dismal.
President of Poona district chemists and druggists association Mahendra Pitaliya said that stockists have reported sale of barely four to five vials so far.
Cold response
"The vaccine is available with a few major stockists and we are minutely tracking its sale. But the initial response is very cold," said Pitaliya. "It's quite surprising given the hype that was created over the delay in getting the vaccine out in the market. It was as if people were waiting with bated breath for it but now it's difficult to sell even a dozen."
President of chemists association of Pune district Dnyaneshwar Narhare said that of the 500 vials containing 5,000 doses of the vaccine supplied to the city, less than 400 have been sold in the past 10 days.
"This vaccine is for people aged 16 years and above. Maybe adults feel they have higher levels of immunity and thus don't want to buy the vaccine," said Narhare. "Another worry is that this vaccine is effective for only a few months after which it would need to be updated and another shot taken if people want immunity. We aren't sure if people find it a worthwhile investment," said Narhare.
