Covid 19 situation in the country is day by day becoming worse and last week it was a record breaking for number of daily cases and yesterday the figure crossed 1.70 lakh+ cases. According to WHO this number was highest in the world followed by Brazil at 93,000+ cases and USA 76,000+ cases.. The day’s death toll crossed 900 for the first time since 10th Oct 2020. Maharashtra has been worst affected state in the country, as out of 1.70lakh+ cases the state accounted for 63,000+ cases, which is 37% of total cases, and accounted for 349 deaths, which is over 37% of total deaths in the country. The figures for Mumbai stands at 9986 (cases) and 79 (deaths). Maharashtra also became the first state to give more than 1cr vaccine shots, the last 10 lakhs shots were given just 2days.With dwindling vaccine shot stocks, the state govt had to suspend private centres for giving vaccine shots for last 2 days.
Now if you see the figures of vaccine shots in the country, the figure till 8th April morning stood at 9.01 Cr+, out of this 7.87Cr+ were first doses and 1.14 Cr+ were 2nd doses. I presume that the total figure would have crossed 10 Cr till yesterday, and out of which Maharashtra figure of 1Cr+ shots is not very encouraging, as Maharashtra’s population is almost 15% of Country’s population, and there are few states whose population is more than Maharashtra and they have still not crossed the figure of 1 Cr shots.
As per figures available the two manufacturers who are supplying vaccine in India are Serum Institute (Covidshield) and Bharat Biotech (Covaxine). These two companies manufacture regular vaccines for other diseases also . Bharat Biotech is currently having a capacity to manufacture 5 million shots of Covid vaccine in a month and capacity of Serum Insitute is about 80 million shots per months. both these companies are in the process of expanding their capacities Bharat Biotech says they will be in position to make 12 million shots in a month from July, whereas Serum Insitute is planning to enhance capacity to 110 million shots per month from June. So one can imagine how much more time will take to vaccinate entire population with 2 dose (who needs vaccination). The govt is also planning to ask other manufacturers to start production of Sputnik vaccine from Russia. It is going to be a tough task for the state govts across the country to manage this vaccination program. If every thing goes well country may be able to procure about 125 to 130 million shots in a months starting July 21 onwards. Now Bharat Biotech has asked for 150 Cr in funding, and Serun Institute is seeking Rs 3000Cr from the govt to expand capacity.
India started their vaccination program from 16th Jan 21, and till date almost 100 milion shots have been administrated. This way country’s vaccination program will definitely extend to 2022, till then even people who received both the doses will have to take all the precautions which are being taken now.
Somewhere in the social media, I read that India’s population is almost equal to the total population of Europe, USA, Brazil and Argentina, and this constitutes total 66 countries. You can imagine the pressure on Indian health authorities to manage the vaccination program, which is equivalent to program of so many countries.
And in our country, opposition only wants to pin point the shortage of vaccine shots. They do not realise it require great financial resources of the central govt to procure these vaccination shots from manufactures by giving them their contracted price, and then distributing to states, to give free vaccine shots to more than 85% of population, and even in private hispitals people are paying high subsidised cost, plus administrative charges. Presently private hospitals are charging Rs 50 + Rs 100 per shot. Where the vaccination is being given free, there people are not even paying administrative cost. This vaccination drive is going to put big financial burden on both Central and state govts.
Last year the economy suffered due to lock down, it was trying to recover now, but with the advent of 2nd Covid wave, again economy is taking a big hit with partial lockdowns etc. Stll no body knows how much econimy is going to take hit, which is going to definitely impact the middle and poor strata of the population.
S0, what you say my friends!!!
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
12th April 2021.
R. N. Mungale.
Kovid19 position in India especially Maharashtra is worsening day by day.