- Where there is a will, there is a way. How often have we heard about this maxim dictating the power of the mind and resolve strengthening the belief system to realize stated objectives? Time and again it is proved beyond doubt that anything pursued with passion, intent, and focus always yield desired results. On that note, it is heartening that India achieved a significant milestone by administering an impressive 86 lakh doses heralding the revamped vaccination policy in the fight against the unknown virus. This showcases what the country can achieve when vaccine supply meets humongous demand.
PC: AIR News
- By now, it is beyond doubt that the only way to keep the virus from severely affecting citizens is to ensure vaccination to all those eligible to receive. Pragmatically speaking, though hopes of all concerned viz. government officials, the medical and scientific community, and ordinary citizens would be sky-high with an incredible achievement of inoculation number for a single day, sustaining the same numbers over three months till December will be no less than a gargantuan task. The nation is witness to what happened soon after notching up 43 lakh doses on April 5.
- Things went downhill thereafter when the second wave peaked, vaccine production choked, and the Centre allowed states and the private sector to directly purchase 50% of the depleting vaccine stocks. Most of these prickly issues have been taken care of, but many rough edges deserve to be smoothened. One of the biggest challenges facing the vaccination drive is to ensure the vaccine reaches intended beneficiaries. People in the know would be apprehensive of the unrestrained vaccine supply and the government officials have already indicated that maintaining above 80 lakhs doses per day will not happen in the coming weeks.
PC: Stephanie Findlay
- Back of the hand calculation reveals that meeting Centre’s vaccination for all targets by December 31 requires around 83 lakh doses daily, seven days a week. The vaccination drive is expected to flag in the coming weeks pushing the required rate to grow steeper as we approach year-end. Note that boosting the supply of vaccines depends primarily on SII and BB delivering by July the 16 crores contracted by Centre in late April. Thus, approvals for foreign vaccines should be speeded up which will supplement the home-produced doses. There must be real urgency and prioritization in administering vaccine doses as many citizens await to receive long-overdue second doses. It is incumbent to seek the support of private hospitals to lessen the burden of inoculation on public health infrastructure.
- On this front, the states can even reimburse their service costs to uphold the free vaccination principle. Another matter of concern is the Cowin app which is failing to address the increasing digital divide between the tech-savvy and technically challenged urban as well as rural population. Taking vaccines to the doorstep should be seriously considered by the authorities. Lastly, the government should heed experts’ opinions to reduce the gap of Covishield to 4-6 weeks from the present 12-16 weeks. Now that the ground reality appears to be on the mend, it makes logical sense to reduce the gap forthwith. It is amply clear that vaccination alone would entail all of us to resume economic activities without worrying about the possible lockdown situations on the back of virus variants and mutants perpetually playing havoc.
