THD NewsDesk, New Delhi: In addition to the 3.48 crore vaccines administered across the nation, India has now shipped over 5.84 crore doses of indigenous Covid-19 vaccines to 70 countries, since the inoculation drive began on January 16.
On Tuesday, junior health and family minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha states that the goal of vaccinating millions of Indians could fall behind given the existing rate of vaccination. The reason behind this is that: as furnished by Choubey the data on exports reveal that 583.85 lakh doses were exported, experts told TOI.
The highest number of vaccinations in a single day, over three million shots, was recorded on March 15. Besides, the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in some states, including Maharashtra, raising fears that they could already be in the grip of a second wave, has led to a demand for expediting vaccinations across the country by covering those outside the priority population.
Several health experts and doctors as well as CEOs, including Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra and Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, have urged the Centre to speed up vaccinations of the general population to counter the surges.
Upon learning it, the Union health minister in the Rajya Sabha today said that “experts at the highest level” and a “committee of the government” are keeping a check on vaccine requirement in the country.
“Vaccines aren’t being sent to other countries at the expense of the people of India. Experts at the highest level and a committee of the government are maintaining a sensible balance about it. 30,39,394 people were vaccinated yesterday. We have touched a total vaccination figure of Rs. 3 crore,” news agency ANI quoted Union minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan as saying.
Health economist Rijo M John felt that vaccinations need to be ramped up to at least 3.8 million doses a day to reach the target of 600 million doses by August and added “If the supply of doses is comfortable in certain states and the vulnerable population has been given the jab, then it can be opened up for other age groups.”
Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil raised concerns yesterday over the rising coronavirus cases and said experts have stated that another wave of Covid-19 is starting. Citing Chhattisgarh’s demand for more Covishield doses, the party urged the government to decentralise the vaccination drive and provide adequate vaccines to the states.
At present, vaccinations at government facilities in most states are available only four days a week. The government kicked off its vaccine diplomacy programme in January, days after launching the countrywide immunisation drive. It said it had received multiple requests for Indian-manufactured Covid-19 vaccines from many countries.
Data on exports states a country like India is not in a state to export its doses at increasing amount which already has many cases stacked to handle. It added that India recorded 24,492 new COVID-19 cases today, registering more than 20,000 cases for the sixth day in a row, taking the infection tally past 1.14 crore. The total cases in the country rose to 1,14,09,831, while the death toll increased to 1,58,856 with 131 fresh fatalities.
On Tuesday, Choubey reiterated this assurance and said “Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply Covid-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner”. Adding that, it will ensure that manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic needs.
