Covid vaccination for the 18-44 age group of citizens saw a belated start on Monday in Arunachal Pradesh. So far from the experience the state has gathered in its Covid vaccination drive, it can be observed that administering the doses is not that much a problem despite the geographical vastness and a scattered pattern of population. It’s the issue of supply that may emerge as a stumbling block. There is a huge demand-supply gap in Covishield and it’s virtually a war between the states/UTs now to procure it. If the demand, for example, is 10 lakh doses, the consignment that arrives contains only 1 lakh or so. This is the case for all states and keep in mind this ‘irritation’ which will continue at least for next three months, the decision of the state to weigh the Russian made Sputnik V version of the vaccine is correct and much necessary.
It will be useless to dig out the ‘history’ of Covid vaccination mismanagement in the country, which even though is just a little over four months old, has caused enormous pain and anxiety for crores of citizens. With every single death,the desperation of the near and dear ones are hovering around that particular truth- if the vaccine was there, the necessity of medical oxygen or Remdesivir, the prima facie reason of the death wouldn’t have arisen. However, people across the country are dying and the root cause is the one briefed above. Coming to Sputnik V, it’s efficacy is beyond doubt and ‘The Lancet’ too has noted it to be more than 91%.Although till now about 1.5 lakh doses have arrived from Russia, based on an agreement inked by the concerned Indian manufacturer, the country is likely to get a minimum of 250 million or 25 crore doses which would be enough to ensure that at least 12.5 crore people are inoculated. Reportedly, the vaccine is also going to be manufactured directly in India by multiple manufacturers raising the hope that at some point of time there will be steady supply. However, the issue of price does arise since the vaccine is being imported at Rs 948 per dose and after a 5% GST it’s almost Rs 1000. If it turns out to be a saviour, the Centre must intervene and do all it can to lower the price (GST rollback will not be enough; a definite subsidy is needed).
Arunachal is witnessing spiralling of Covid cases. Its health infra is not capable of absorbing the shock. The Centre at least should make sure that there’s no disruption in its inoculation due to vaccine shortage. 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List