Hyd hotel in soup over vax package row

Hyderabad EVEN as the country is facing an acute shortage of vaccines against deadly Covid-19, Radisson Blu Hyderabad Hitech City, a star hotel in the city, has come up with a vaccination package that includes vaccination followed by a comfortable stay at the hotel, all for Rs 2,999. The hotel's advertisement on this offer went viral on social media, drawing angry comments from netizens and kicking up a nationwide furore.

The Radisson's vaccination package, priced at Rs 2,999, includesa comfortable stay, vaccination by experts from a renowned hospital, a healthy breakfast and dinner, and a Wi-Fi facility. Clinical consultation will also be provided on request. "Get vaccinated here. It's our pleasure to serve you vaccination package," the hotel's pamphlet screams.

This offer has obviously angered netizens as the nation is facing a severe vaccine shortage. Opposition parties also targeted the Modi government, leveling allegations of a vaccine scam. "Healthcare and vaccinations are comedy!" Dr Swati Sawant Rane, a visiting faculty at TISS, commented on her Twitter handle, tagging Union Health Minister Dr Harsha Vardhan. She shared Radisson's flyer with her tweet.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Delhi, also went into an offensive against the central government, alleging that the Modi government allowed private companies to cash in on the vaccine shortage. Sharing the pamphlet on their social media platforms, several AAP leaders lambasted the Centre.

Meanwhile, multiple calls by Bizz Buzz to the mobile number (+91 9246892587) given on the Radisson's vaccination package pamphlet went unanswered. When called on the hotel's landline, a receptionist at Radisson Blu Hyderabad, who refused to identify himself, said that the offer had been cancelled. "We have cancelled the package on the same day we announced it. We are not obliged to explain the reason why we have cancelled it," he said.