“Baseless”: Centre Rubbishes Vaccine Inequities Charge, Defends Its Current Policy

The Centre said the media reports suggesting inequities in distribution of doses were “inaccurate and speculative in nature”.

The centre on Saturday, while defending its liberalised vaccine policy, said the media reports suggesting inequities in distribution of doses were “inaccurate and speculative in nature”. It said the vaccine policy that came into effect from May 1 reduces the “operational stress” on state-run vaccination facilities.

“It is reiterated that the Liberalised Vaccine policy, which envisages a larger role for the private sector and the centre, is setting aside 25% of vaccines for the private sector. This mechanism facilitates better access and reduces the operational stress on Government Vaccination facilities in terms of those who could afford to pay and would prefer to go to a private hospital,” the centre said in a statement.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also tweeted from his handle stressing that that the reports of inequities in distribution were “baseless”.

The government, responding to criticism that some big players are cornering the bulk of the supply meant for the private sector, said hospitals in smaller cities are also getting the two vaccines.

“As on 1st June 2021, private hospitals have received over 1.20 crore doses of COVID vaccines in the month of May 2021. As on 4th May, 2021, a large number of private hospitals that have contracted with M/S Serum Institute of India and M/S Bharat Biotech have been supplied with Covishield and Covaxin doses. These private hospitals are not limited to the bigger metros but also from Tier II & III cities across States,” it said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Suprem Court in its detailed order on the issue, said the Centre’s policy of giving free vaccination to 45-plus age group and a paid system for those below is “prima facie, arbitrary and irrational”.