India's COVID-19 Vaccination Drive: Who's Eligible and How Progress is Being Made
Introduction
The global race against COVID-19 has seen a wide range of measures put in place to control the spread and mitigate its impact. In India, the government has rolled out a massive vaccination drive to inoculate the population. This article explores the vaccination status, eligibility criteria, and the current status of the program in India.
Current Vaccination Status
As of recently, around 110 million Indians, including around 12-14 year olds, have received the vaccine. Among the recipients, the oldest individual is a 107-year-old Mr. Kewal Krishnan, who completed his vaccination. While the younger age group has recently become eligible, the focus has primarily been on those 45 and above, working in hospitals, and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, sickle cell anemia, hypertension, diabetes, and leukemia.
Vaccination Eligibility
Anyone above the age of 45 is eligible to receive the vaccination by registering on the Co-Win portal. Individuals with specific health conditions can also take the vaccine after filling out a form and getting it verified by a doctor. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to providing access to the vaccine to those most at risk.
Challenges in the Vaccination Drive
Despite these efforts, India's vaccination drive faces several challenges. The report indicates that black marketers and politicians have reportedly cornered the vaccine supply, leading to further complications. The government's primary role appears to be in coordinating the distribution, rather than actively addressing shortages or prioritizing distribution.
There have been claims that the government has not pre-ordered enough vaccines from trusted suppliers like Pfizer and Moderna, which have a proven efficacy rate of over 90%. As a result, India may not receive enough vaccines to cover a substantial portion of the population until at least 2023-2034, according to insiders. This delay is further exacerbated by the fact that many other countries have pre-ordered a significant portion of the available vaccines, leaving India with limited options.
Government Spending and Priorities
The article also criticizes the government's spending priorities, stating that it has allocated substantial funds to infrastructure projects such as high-speed trains and new parliamentary buildings, rather than towards healthcare. For instance, a new high-speed train between Gujarat and Mumbai has cost $7 billion, while the new parliament building has cost $3 billion. In contrast, the cost of 100 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine is estimated to be around Rs 8,000 crores ($1.1 billion).
The government's spending on non-emergency projects highlights a stark contrast with its vaccination efforts. The article calls out the high cost of new aircraft for government officials, such as a Boeing B 777, which has cost Rs 850 crores ($122 million), further emphasizing the misallocation of resources.
Conclusion
India's vaccination drive, while showing progress, faces significant challenges in terms of vaccine supply and distribution. The government's focus on high-profile infrastructure projects comes at a time when healthcare needs are arguably more pressing. Addressing these issues is crucial for India to effectively combat the ongoing pandemic and ensure the well-being of its citizens.