The country has seen enough of nonsense of adverse comments and propaganda against the very Covid vaccine and its efficacy since the day its administration was announced and thereafter. The nationwide vaccination drive started in India on 16 January with two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. Disinformation was spread against the vaccination thus confusing the common citizens and people became apprehensive rather suspicious. By the time the realisation of the importance of vaccine dawned over, it ended up in short and uneven supplies across the country. Later what followed- the disturbing scenario of unprecedented queues and complaining citizens were agonising.
Yet another controversy has been going round comparing which Vaccine is better over the other.
People often get confused about taking the jab and indecisive as to go for which vaccine? In the last few days the Medical Experts has time and again urged people not to be in any dilemma over the issue and all should go for inoculation by whatever vaccine available in their area at the earliest.
Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences both addressed various doubts people have regarding COVID-19 vaccines a couple of days back where this issue of vaccination was also addressed.
According to AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, the data available till now shows clearly that efficacy of all vaccines — whether Covaxin, Covishield or Sputnik V — are more or less equivalent.
“We should not hence say take this vaccine or that vaccine, whichever vaccine is available in your area, please go ahead and get yourself vaccinated so that you and your family are safe,” Guleria said while addressing various doubts of people regarding Covid-19 vaccines.
In another interview with All India Radio, Dr. Guleria has said that the efficacy of all vaccines – Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V more or less equivalent.
The appreciable development is that the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 24.58 crores; the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday and it is going fast to cover more population.
The government has also set the maximum price for private hospitals that can charge for the three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the country — Covishield ₹780 per dose, Covaxin ₹1,410 and Sputnik V ₹1,145.
In an address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the central government will provide free Covid-19 vaccine to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18 from June 21.
The Prime Minister said the Centre has now decided to buy 75 per cent of jabs from vaccine makers for free supply to states, while private sector hospitals will continue to procure the remaining 25 per cent but they cannot charge more than ₹150 per dose over the pre-fixed price.
As we all know, the nationwide vaccination drive started in India on 16 January with two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. However, Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has also been added later to the list.
