Thieves, who had stolen vials of Covishield and Covaxin from a hospital in Haryana, returned the vaccines 12 hours later. Police officials say the thieves even left behind a note apologising for stealing the vaccines at a time when states are struggling to cope with demand for the life-saving jab.
On Thursday, locals found 622 stolen doses of Covid-19 vaccines at a tea stall outside the Civil Lines police station in Haryana's Jind. A total of 182 doses of Covishield and 440 doses of Covaxin have been recovered, said the police.
A note was also found alongside the vials saying that those who stole them did not know that they were coronavirus vaccines.
Some clues that may lead the police to the identities of the thieves have also been recovered.
The Civil Surgeon has sought information from officials about whether the recovered vials can be used or not.
When was theft of vaccines reported
Earlier on Thursday, nearly 171 vials of Covid-19 vaccines, including 440 doses of Covaxin and 1,270 doses of Covishield were stolen from the storeroom of the PP Centre General Hospital in Jind. Initial reports indicated that the thieves left medicines and cash kept inside the storeroom untouched.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Jind Civil Hospital, Dr Bimla Rathi said officials reached the vaccination centre on Thursday morning only to find that the storeroom had been broken into. Jabs, including BCG and polio vaccines, remained untouched while Covid-19 vaccines were reported stolen.
A case was registered against unidentified persons in this regard.
It was also reported that there were neither CCTV cameras or security guards outside the storeroom to prevent the theft of Covid-19 vaccines.
