Hyderabad: As second phase pandemic virulence saw the number of positive cases crossing 1.25 lakhs in one day, the Center has vouched for a strong regulatory strategy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is exuding confidence that the pandemic can be brought under control through proper testing, treatment, strict adherence to Covid protocol and extensive vaccination. As part of the strategy, the Center has called for Teeka Utsav to be held from April 11 to 14.
In a welcome development, this Utsav calls for vaccination to be organized at all the government and private offices where more than 100 people are working. The machinery in the country has reached a stage where it is able to administer 40 lakh doses of vaccine. However, it would be a big challenge for the machinery to take up the expansion of vaccination.
Apart from the human resources that can visit offices to administer the vaccine, additional doses of vaccine should be also available for the purpose. Already shortage of vaccination has raked up political controversy. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has alleged that the Maharashtra State government was politicizing the matter by raising the issue of vaccine shortage to cover up its own failure to contain cases. It may be noted that apart from the Shivasena-Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra, governments of states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan are also complaining about the shortage of vaccine.
Nobody can distort the facts related to the production capacity of vaccine manufacturers in the country, their present production and the quantum they are distributing. No thinking person will ever welcome this kind of political blame game at a time when the nation should unitedly stand up to fight the pandemic.
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The Covid vaccination began in the country on January 16. The objective was to vaccinate 30 crore people, giving priority to frontline warriors, sections that are vulnerable to viral infection due to age and comorbidities. Not even a third of the targeted number of people have been vaccinated till now. It is a matter of grave concern that vaccine shortage has cropped up at this juncture. About 15 days ago, Niti Ayog member Professor V.K. Paul stated that the Serum Institute will be manufacturing 47 crore doses and Bharat Biotech will be manufacturing 12 crore doses by August. About a month ago, the Serum Institute of India had pointed out to the Center that because of the American defence laws there are obstacles to the import of vaccine raw material. Both the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have made an appeal to the Center for emergency financial assistance to increase production.
In January last, Prime Minister Modi had said that it is a matter of pride for every Indian citizen that the country is producing two vaccines on its own. He should liberally respond to the plea made by the institutions for help in getting the required raw material and financial assistance.
President Joe Biden of the United States of America has announced that from April 19, the vaccine will be made available to every person in his country that has crossed 18 years of age. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has suggested recently that all adults in the country should be allowed to get vaccinated. Extensive production and administering of vaccine are crucial if the proposed universal vaccination is to be fast-tracked. The nation can conquer Covid only when governments acted in unison with meaningful coordination.
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