Amidst sharp criticism in preceding weeks over the vaccination policy and facing pulls from the Supreme Court of India, some streamlining of the availability of vaccination has eased some pressure and panic over the non-availability of the vaccines. This also has infused some confidence among the people who have been trying to get the shot. According to a statement of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday more than 24 Crore Vaccine Doses have been provided to states and Union Territories of India with clear instructions to be extra vigilant against the wastage of the much-needed vaccines. One can also draw solace that the number of Covid infected and the death toll has been registering a downtrend. The situation seems to improve in northern areas of the country while southern parts are still coping with the severity of the pandemic.
The government of India has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 24 crore vaccine doses (24,21,29,250) to States/UTs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is 22,27,33,963 doses (as per data available at 8 AM today).
Another positive sign noticed is in the matter of receding pressure on the vaccination centres and booking at the official Cowin portal. It is stated that as part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In addition, the Govt. of India has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the States/UTs.
Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of the Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Further, under the implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination, which started from 1st May 2021, in every month 50% of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Govt. of India.
It would continue to make these doses available to the State Governments totally free of cost as was being done earlier. And the Ministry further shares the information that more than 1.93 crore COVID Vaccine doses (1,93,95,287) are still available with the States/UTs to be administered. It is now for the local management by the states to run the vaccination campaign smoothly and efficiently.
When the unlocking process has already in place with precautions, the augmentation of vaccination of war footing can only bring the population in India under protection.
