Acute Hepatitis B Vaccine Shortage Disrupts Private Hospitals in Tamil Nadu

Private hospitals across Tamil Nadu are grappling with a severe shortage of Hepatitis B vaccines, creating challenges in vaccinating high-risk adults and healthcare workers. This shortage has persisted over the past several months, impacting vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations, including those undergoing dialysis and healthcare providers. The vaccine is pivotal for infants under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and is also recommended for adults at risk, including immunocompromised individuals.

According to Dr. M. K. Sivasubramanian, a nephrologist in Madurai, the supply of Hepatitis B vaccines has dwindled significantly, leaving many hospitals with insufficient doses to meet demand. "We had reached a point where we were left with very few doses of the vaccine. We could not vaccinate newborn children, but we received support from government facilities. However, the recent supply does not meet our demand, and we have been raising this issue with the manufacturer weekly," Dr. Sivasubramanian stated.

Inquiries conducted across several districts, including Chennai, Erode, and Theni, have confirmed the widespread nature of this shortage, with many healthcare facilities reporting difficulties in vaccinating healthcare workers and high-risk patients. The Chennai Liver Foundation, led by managing trustee Vivekanandan Shanmugam, has been actively addressing this issue, having previously reached out to the vaccine manufacturer regarding supply concerns. "We wrote to the Government of India, and they acknowledged the short supply. They indicated that vaccines would be supplied prioritizing pentavalent doses for the UIP, but we remain uncertain about when the situation will improve," Shanmugam explained.

The shortage has been exacerbated by increased costs and limited availability of vaccines for adult populations, particularly as multi-dose vials intended for healthcare workers are prioritized over single-dose vials used for patients. "Vaccination is crucial to prevent liver cancers, as recommended by the World Health Organization. We should aim to test and vaccinate at least high-risk groups, including healthcare workers and immunocompromised individuals," Dr. Shanmugam added.

Some government doctors have noted an increased reliance on public health facilities as private hospitals in semi-urban areas face the brunt of this shortage. T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, reassured the public that the government sector is not currently facing issues with vaccine procurement, holding a stock of 634,000 doses to cover healthcare workers' needs for the next several months. "While the vaccine is freely available for UIP, we are utilizing the buffer stock to vaccinate patients on dialysis and other high-risk individuals," he clarified.

As the situation remains fluid, the Chennai Liver Foundation has initiated a survey among practitioners and gastroenterologists across India to assess the availability of Hepatitis B vaccines. The results of this survey could provide critical insights into the extent of the shortage and guide interventions aimed at ensuring adequate vaccine supply to critical populations.

In conclusion, the ongoing shortage of Hepatitis B vaccines in Tamil Nadu highlights the urgent need for improved supply chain management and collaboration between private hospitals and government agencies to safeguard public health. The implications of this shortage extend beyond immediate vaccination challenges, potentially affecting long-term outcomes in liver disease prevention across the state. Continued monitoring and proactive measures are essential to address this public health concern effectively.