Days after the congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi To give Indians access to overseas-made Covid-19 vaccines, the center has decided to speed up emergency permits for overseas-made shots. Following Rahul Gandhi’s letter, the BJP-led government accused him of lobbying for pharmaceutical companies.
On Tuesday the Ministry of Health of the Union said Covid-19 vaccines are made overseas and Emergency Authorization for Restricted Use by authorities in the US, Europe, UK, Japan or those on the WHO Emergency Use List can obtain an Emergency Authorization in India.
The government said the idea is to “expand the home vaccine basket and accelerate the pace and range of vaccinations”. “The first 100 beneficiaries of such foreign vaccines will be screened for seven days for safety results before they are introduced for another vaccination program in the country,” said a statement from the Union’s Ministry of Health.
Following the announcement, Rahul Gandhi immediately went to Twitter, subtly claiming that his letter was what triggered the government’s move. Rahul Gandhi expressed concern about the slow pace of the vaccination campaign in the country and had requested the rapid approval of other vaccine candidates.
On Wednesday Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
“At first they ignore you
then they laugh at you
then they fight you
then you win. “#Vaccine pic.twitter.com/FvfmTjJ7bl– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 14, 2021
However, back in May 2020, the government said it had set up a task force led by a Chief Scientific Advisor to promote research and development for vaccine manufacturing, and in August a national expert group on vaccine administration for Covid- 19 (NEGVAC) formed to help roll out the vaccination drive.
The government stressed that this was “due to these strategies”. India became the first country to receive two India-made Covid-19 vaccines for domestic vaccination.
“Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to what was already in the pipeline. There has been some debate about whether foreign-made vaccines may be allowed. Also, several foreign vaccine manufacturers have partnered with Indian companies to manufacture or distribute vaccines. Momentum is natural that the government will widen the basket. Rahul Gandhi can be recognized for knowledgeable opportunism, “said a senior BJP leader.
Following the letter from Rahul Gandhi, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a comprehensive attack against the Congress leader through a series of tweets.
“After failing as a part-time politician, Rahul Gandhi switched to full-time lobbying? First he advocated fighter aircraft companies by trying to derail India’s acquisition program. Now he advocates pharmaceutical companies by getting arbitrary approvals for foreign vaccines requested, “said Prasad.
Rahul Gandhi had also proposed an immediate moratorium on vaccine exports and opened the vaccination campaign to those in need.
“We need to understand that vaccines are a scarce commodity in the world. They are not like candy that can be made, delivered and consumed anytime, anywhere. That is why India and other countries have decided to prioritize groups that are vulnerable.” said BJP’s Vijay Chauthai Whale in an article.
The switch to overseas-made rapid vaccines came a day after the Drugs Controller General of India granted approval for the vaccines’ restricted emergency use Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V..
Vaccine demand versus availability
With India in the grip of a second wave of Covid-19 infections, the demand for vaccines has soared. According to the government, vaccines made in India may not be enough to meet demand. So far, 11 Crore people have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Source: PIB
The government also released data on demand and availability across the country, citing global numbers to claim India was at the top of the vaccination table.
Source: PIB
The Department of Health recently announced to the Parliamentary Health Committee that Bharat Biotech, which makes Covaxin, has a planned production capacity of 150 million doses per year, while the estimated capacity of the Serum Institute of India, which makes Covishield, is around 70-100 million cans per month.
Source: PIB
While the government has claimed there is no shortage, the two vaccine makers are said to be operating well below their stated capacity.
The number of those vaccinated is staggering. So far, 11 Crore Indians have been vaccinated and 6.5 Crore jabs have been exported. According to the government, the population at risk in the country is 30 crore. An analyst said those who are 30 years old or younger make up 55 percent of the Indian population.
“If we look at the number of people with comorbidities, every third adult Indian has high blood pressure / hypertension and one in ten has type II diabetes mellitus. This means large numbers need urgent vaccinations,” he said.
A senior congressional official claimed, “If 40 lakh vaccines are given daily, it would take 12 crore vaccines in a month, with the exception of nearly 6.5 percent waste. This is exactly the number that is currently being made by the two manufacturers. This means India . ” practically uses what it produces monthly, provided manufacturers stop exporting and fail to meet their global commitments. “
Russian relief
The emergency clearance for the Sputnik V vaccine is expected to kickstart the vaccination campaign. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has announced production agreements with five Indian manufacturers for more than 400-500 million doses of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine per year.
Dr. Reddys Laboratories have already signed an agreement to distribute Sputnik V. The following contracts have also been signed:
– Virchow Biotech: 200 million doses for 100 million people
– Stelis Biopharma: 200 million doses for 100 million people
– Gland Pharma: 252 million doses for 126 million people
– Panacea Biotec: 100 million doses for 50 million people
– Straight: 100 million doses for 50 million people
READ | Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 Vaccine Approved for Restricted Use in India: Sources
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