Soubhik Mitra, Hindustan Times Mumbai, August 09, 2013
Thane resident Rajesh Iyer cancelled his plans to visit Kenya during the Diwali vacations and the reasons were not the usual falling rupee or rising prices, but the lack of yellow fever vaccine in Mumbai. It is mandatory to take the vaccination before applying for a visa to central African and South American destinations.
“I got tired of the back and forth in getting the vaccination,” said Iyer, who was to travel in a group of 12 people. He will now head to either Mauritius or South Africa.
According to travel agents in the city, officials at the two vaccination centres in Mumbai have been turning down passengers claiming to have run of out vaccine stock. “I had clients who queued up twice and were turned away,” said Vasuki Sundaram, owner of Wings Travel, adding that at least four families planning a trip to Africa have now settled for other destinations.
The problem is not just in Mumbai, but in other metros as well. “I have six families held up because yellow fever vials have not been available for two weeks,” said Sampat Kumar, a travel agent from Bangalore. Kumar said some of them had made advance payments and were now left in a lurch.
Mumbai airport sources claimed that touts at the airport premises have been selling vials for Rs. 5000 each, while the actual cost is Rs. 300.Thane resident Rajesh Iyer cancelled his plans to visit Kenya during the Diwali vacations and the reasons were not the usual falling rupee or rising prices, but the lack of yellow fever vaccine in Mumbai. It is mandatory to take the vaccination before applying for a visa to central African and South American destinations.
The problem is not just in Mumbai, but in other metros as well. “I have six families held up because yellow fever vials have not been available for two weeks,” said Sampat Kumar, a travel agent from Bangalore. Kumar said some of them had made advance payments and were now left in a lurch.
Mumbai airport sources claimed that touts at the airport premises have been selling vials for Rs. 5000 each, while the actual cost is Rs. 300.
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