The fast-changing Covid ground realities has finally compelled the Centre to open up vaccination for a larger number of people. The decision which came Tuesday was preceded by repeated appeals from the medical fraternity and thankfully it arrived finally. From April 1, all individuals above 45 years age, irrespective of status of comorbidities will be allowed to take doses without waiting for the original time as per which it was possible only after July. The current Covid experience which is marked with apprehension of a second nation-wide wave might have been avoided if the decision arrived a month earlier. Thus, despite commending the announcement, ineptitude on part of the Union Health Ministry in anticipating the ‘shape of things’ to come, also needs to be underlined.

A situation has reached now when 40000+ daily additions seem unavoidable. Over the last few days this has been so and while active caseload now stands at 2.96% of total infections, recovery rate after successive dips is now 95.67%. What is more worrying is the invasion of the UK variant with Punjab turning out to be the new hotspot. Reportedly, out of around 400 new samples analysed for genome sequencing there, 81% have been found to be positive. Nothing can be said with a guarantee that the new cases emerging in other states are not caused by this strain since proper specialised testing hasn't commenced as of now. It needs taking into account that fatalities across the country are also on the rise and on Monday itself 199 patients expired. However, the propensity to attribute the development only to a few states namely Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since they have contributed to more than 80% of new cases continues. This is as if there are zero chances for such repetitions elsewhere. But from a full-year experience in battling the deadly virus, it can be said with stress that it’s a wrong assumption and without vaccination in a lighting speed incorporating all sections of people, it will be back to square one. Moreover, acting on the recommendation made by the national Covid experts groups and WHO, the Health Ministry has directed the states to increase the interval between the doses of Covishield (the most-widely used version of the vaccine across India, including Arunachal Pradesh) from the existing protocol of 4-6 weeks to 4-8 weeks for greater efficacy. This means more time will be required from now onwards to complete the entire inoculation process which otherwise is yet another strong argument for justifying the demand for expediting Covid vaccination.

While the entry for 45+ age group will be welcomed, a decision for those below it also needs an urgent national discussion. If there is no shortage of vaccine stock, then why not for ‘all’.