As of May 1, every adult over the age of 18 in India is eligible to be vaccinated. At the moment, though, the bulk of those between 18 and ...
As of May 1, every adult over the age of 18 in India is eligible to be vaccinated. At the moment, though, the bulk of those between 18 and 45 are more likely to have access to a government-sent SMS about being vaccinated than a vaccine itself. That is because India’s vaunted vaccination campaign has fallen off the rails.
Several states have deferred the rollout of vaccines to those in the 18-45 band, citing insufficient stocks – despite the Centre claiming for months that there are no shortages. Private vaccination centres will potentially have to shut down, after one manufacturer said that they cannot expect doses for the next five to six months.
Questions have been raised about the decision to sell emergency-authorised vaccines on the open market and charge Indians for doses. The complex pricing formula that sees manufacturers charging different rates to the Centre, states and private hospitals has come under fire from the Supreme Court.
A combination of flawed planning, the failure to factor in a massive second wave of the virus and – in response to the ongoing surge – a sudden change of tactics has led to the current state of confusion and uncertainty. There is little clarity on how and when a sufficient...
