Vaccine hesitancy
The Serum Institute of India’s statement presents a confusing mix of developments
Adar Poonawala has let the proverbial cat out of the bag. In the latest statement, the Serum Institute of India (SII) made certain points which need careful reading. One, that “in January 2021, we had a large stockpile of vaccine doses…. At that stage, most people, including health experts, believed that India was turning the tide on the pandemic”. Was the intention to point out that India did not place enough vaccine orders in January itself to cover at least 70 per cent of the population? Two, “around the same time, many other countries in the world were facing an acute crisis and were in desperate need of help. Our Government extended support wherever possible during this period”. Is this to reveal that the SII did not export either commercially or through Covax without intimating the Government of India? Three, “the cooperation between countries…forms the basis for us getting access to technology and aid for healthcare…..it is this reciprocity, where India has helped other countries with the supply of HCQ and vaccine exports, that has in turn led to support from other countries”. Is this to defend the Government from criticism for exporting/donating vaccines when the second surge raged in India? Four, “as part of our global alliances, we also had commitments to Covax, so that they could distribute the vaccines globally…”. The Covax commitments came before the Indian Government placed its order? Five, “a vaccination drive for such a large population (India) cannot be completed within 2-3 months…. it would take 2-3 years for the entire world population to get fully vaccinated”.
It puts paid to the dreams of vaccinating 70 per cent of the Indian population by December. Six, “we also hope to start delivering to Covax and other countries by the end of this year”. It means the committed Covax and commercial deliveries stand deferred as the SII is seized with honouring the Indian order made in May. The collaboration between the SII, Gavi and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation firmed up an initial order of 10 crore doses in last August and subsequently revised the figure by another 10 crore doses. Seven, Adar Poonawala earlier said the vaccine shortage would continue till July, by which time the SII would augment production figures to 10 crore a month. As on May 19, 18,70,09,792 doses were given to people. That includes first and second doses of Covishield and Covaxin. Around 11.7 per cent (14,17,55,662) of the Indian population received the first dose, while 3.34 per cent (4,04,84,941) received both doses. That leaves a population of over 100 crore without any doses so far. For herd immunity to be achieved, at least 70 per cent of the non-vaccinated population, or over 70 crore people, need to receive both doses. If the entire ramped up doses of 10 crore of the SII are given to India, it will take seven months to give at least one dose to this segment. A second dose would mean double that amount of dosage.
Source: The Pioneer
