The vaccines which were approved earlier by Indian govt, Covishield and Covaxin , now as per the latest report their supply has exceeded the usage in the period from 16th January to 9th February. So far only about 32% of Covishield and about 12% of Covaxin have been administrated to health care providers , defence personnel and frontline workers.
In fact till 1st February about 18.9 million doses were supplied to 37 areas ( states and Union territories). Similarly 2.57 million doses of Covaxin were supplied to 19 states. So the record for adminstrating the vaccine to the designated citizens seems be very poor. This clearly indicates that all state and UT govts need to strengthen their adminisration of doses network. Till yesterday evening only 8.857 million people were vaccinated, out of that 134, 690 were vaccinated only yesterday through out the country.
As there is enough supply available, the central govt should start vaccinating other groups also. Presently vaccine is being administrated only at govt clinics/hospitals/health centres, it is high time the supply should be given to private clinics and hospitals, after training their staff immediately for how to vaccinate using both Covishield and Covaxin. Secondly all the states have enough stocks, the administration of 2nd dose should also start. But care should be taken that enough doses are available for 2nd phase.
The govt earlier has set a target of 300 million doses administration by July/August 2021 which was later revised to May 2021, but with the present rate it is highly impossible to axchieve this target. To achieve this target the daily vaccination rate should be 3 million, presently this rate is about 1/10th of desired 3 million per day.
To achieve this target central and state/UT govts have to expand the over all facilities, few of important areas which needs to be strengthen/new groups’ introduction for vaccination etc etc, few of these are listed below
- First and foremost will be to sort out all the problems associated with Co-Win App that is beibg used for vaccination. India being the hub of IT industry, it should not be diificult. If required take the experts help.
- Use first dose for maximum coverage. As per WHO, for Covishield vaccine the trime gap between 1st and 2nd dose could be extended upto 3 months.
- Expand High risk group coverage- The country should open up vaccination to other high group such as 60+ people and people with co morbities.
- Increased Vaccination sites- to achieve the target of 3 million per day, we would need about 75,000 vaccination centres. This should be also the prime most priority.
- Release Covaxin data for phase 3 trials, as some states ave refused and wherever Covaxin is being used it is very less , they are waiting till phase 3 trials are completed and results shared. Data on safety and efficacy can help in building confidence. Presently there is some hesitancy among people, as beneficiary of this vaccine has to sign a consent form.
- The govt should allow private hospitals to vaccinate their staff, instesd of telling them to take the vaccination at cenres approved by govt.
As per the experts “ A measured approach is always better than a frantic approach. We should always remember that the Corona Virus is mutating, it should not happen, that we have to face a situation where we need to re- immunise the people because of virus mutations.
There are reports that there is not any substantial side reaction of Covxin, so all the states hope that now people will come forward to have this vaccination.
India has a still a long way to go for vaccinating its population against this Covid Virus, and unless the majority of populace get the vaccine shots, then only we can say, we have been successful in fighting Covid, otherwise Covid cases figure in the country will keep on fluctuating.
All these only means that till we are vaccinated, we have to take all the precautions, and also hope that the vaccine also is suitable for other various mutations of this virus.
In the end let us hope for the best.
Awaiting your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
17th February 2021
R. N. Mungale.
Let us hope for the best.
Vasanth Chandra
All said & done , vaccination has not caught on . Best intention of emergency approval & authorisation is misunderstood by many including health professionals .
Immediately , arrangements be done for vaccination at a cost to all those who can afford at private facilities to go simultaneously with Govt efforts.
Vaccination is , any day ,anytime , the best option ,however inefficient it may be .