Hyderabad: Where do we stand in the utilization of the vaccine developed to control the coronavirus that threw the biggest ever challenge of this millennium at humankind?
Though statistics state that India stands third in terms of vaccinations after USA and UK, a closer look reveals that the progress is sluggish. More than five and a half crore doses of the vaccine have already been administered in the USA and in the UK 1.6 crore doses have been given to the people. India accounts for only 90 lakh doses even though a month has passed since the commencement of vaccination. The USA is going to produce altogether 480 crore doses of 12 varieties of vaccines. An estimated 360 crore doses are to be manufactured in India. The widening gap between production capacity and the utilization levels calls for taking immediate policy decisions.
The Center had planned a phased action plan for vaccination, under which frontline warriors were given first preference in the vaccination drive. Persons aged above 50 years will be given the opportunity during the next phase of vaccination that will start next month. If the progress continues at the present pace, it will take at least five years for the vaccine to reach the rural people. Covid vaccine’s efficacy will lapse if it is not utilized within six months of its production.
While many among the priority sections are not coming forth for vaccination due to their apprehensions and hesitations, many doubts are rankling the minds of the common people also. This is the time for the governments to promote public awareness that even persons with prolonged illnesses can get themselves vaccinated. People should be made aware that it is their social responsibility to get vaccinated.
There are instances of recrudescence of disease among Covid victims having poor disease resistance. The latest studies of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology indicate re-infection of Covid-19 among some. Countries like Germany, France, Netherlands and Portugal are mulling lockdowns. The virulence of disease in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka is shocking indeed. The proposals to impose lockdowns at places like Mumbai are causing alarm.
With the advent of the vaccine, a dangerous kind of self-assuredness is prevailing among the common people, who are neglecting Covid protocols like masks and physical distance. The World Health Organization has been repeatedly stating that so long as everyone becomes secure nobody can consider himself secure. The State and Central governments should embark upon the mission to clear the fears, apprehensions and doubts on the vaccine among common people. They should also insist on the need to exercise precautions for some more time.
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Prime Minister Modi has stated that it is a matter of pride for all of us that both Serum and Bharat Biotech vaccines have been produced indigenously. His pride is well placed. The Center is saying that some more vaccines are also going to join the ranks of the existing ones. It should however prepare a proper consumption plan in accordance with the production capacity. Excluding the doses it wants to provide to the priority sections in phases, the Center should permit pharma companies to sell the vaccine to the public.
According to the Companies Act of 2013, the profit earning companies should spend at least two per cent of their three-year profits under the Corporate Social Responsibility head. The Federation of Indian Industries has already requested the Center to allow companies to utilize their CSR funds for the vaccination of their staff. If private hospitals are also made partners, the vaccination drive will be more extensive and it would help gain upper hand over Covid-19.
