Notably, the government has said 135 crore doses of vaccines will be available by December 2021. Whereas, in May, the government had projected India would have 216 crore doses of doses, thereby cutting the estimate down by 81 crores.
The Union Government presented a detailed plan on the vaccination drive to the Supreme Court in the suo-moto after the latter reprimanded the government for its earlier “irrational” vaccine policy.
A 375-page affidavit was filed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in response to a slew of pointed questions raised by the apex court in its May 31 order. The government said it has been reviewing its vaccination policy dynamically since May this year.
It said the government was aiming towards ‘vaccination-for-all’ by December this year.
“Total population – above 18 years of age – is approximately 93-94 crore. As such, administering two doses to these beneficiaries would require an estimated 186 to 188 crore vaccine doses. Out of this requirement, 51.6 crore doses will be made available for administration by July 31, leaving a requirement of approximately 135 crore vaccine doses for complete vaccination to the eligible population,” the Centre said in an affidavit filed by Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary, Health Ministry.
The Centre said it is making the necessary arrangements for the required doses. It also provided the cost break-up of the vaccines in its affidavit. According to the document, approximately Rs 10,000 crore has been spent/allocated for vaccine procurement, so far, News18 reported.
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Notably, the government has said 135 crore doses of vaccines will be available by December 2021. Whereas, in May, the government had projected India would have 216 crore doses of doses, thereby cutting the estimate down by 81 crores.
Giving a breakup and status of the 135 crore vaccines, the Union government said that “Sputnik V vaccine, developed by M/s Gamaleya Institute, Russia has received Emergency Use Authorization by the DCGI in April 2021 and is now being administered in India,”
In addition, vaccines from domestic pharmaceutical companies Biological E and Zydus Cadila are in the late stages of clinical trials and subject to regulatory approvals, it said. Zydus Cadila is working on a vaccine for 12-18 years of age and a vaccine for the age group will be available soon, the government said.
The government also defended the charge of a ‘digital divide’ with regards to the compulsory registration on Co-WIN.
It said that walk-in vaccinations have been allowed for all ages and the digital divide is not a constraint for access to vaccines anymore.
“Till June 25, 31 crore vaccine doses have been administrated across the country. COWIN platform registration is not mandatory, people in rural areas can visit the nearest vaccination centre go get vaccinated,” it said.
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