INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Mass production [for the eventual Covid-19 vaccine] will begin once scientists give their nod
Independence Day speech.About a month later, on September 17, Union Health Minister Dr
Harsh Vardhan had a further update when he informed Parliament that a Covid-19 vaccine might be developed by early 2021.But it would take
that a potential solution is on the horizon to end the pandemic responsible for the cumulative tally of 5.4 million infections including
more than 90,000 deaths in the last eight months.While about 4.3 million patients have recovered, lockdowns imposed to contain the highly
contagious disease have wrecked the Indian economy and triggered a wave of job losses and mental health problems.Most restrictions have been
lifted, but activities like schools, cinema halls and regular international flights remain shut till date.THE BIG TASKSOnly a vaccine can
induce an immune response into humans at the levels that might prevent cases of Covid-19 infection
When a safe, effective and affordable vaccine is available, authorities will have to quicken its mass production and make it market-ready
with all regulatory concerns taken care of.Then come the extraordinary logistics that are needed
Remember, the eventual vaccine will have to be stored and shipped at extremely low temperatures
This is because the injections must last long enough in transit.A network of lakhs of health workers will have to be trained and deployed in
various parts of the country, home to 1.3 billion people
people over 65 years and those with co-morbidities, the immunisation programme may take several months and even a few years, experts have
said.As per an optimistic assessment, India will have mass vaccination by late 2021
But Adar Poonawalla, chief executive of the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, has said that not enough
Covid-19 vaccines will be available for everyone until the end of 2024.India, which has been jolted by the highest single-day caseload in
the world since early August, is praying for an early start of vaccination
We may overtake the US in the coming weeks as the country with most infections (not deaths).India has consistently reported over 1,000
Covid-19 deaths every day in recent weeks
Globally, cases of SARS-CoV-2 that causes coronavirus disease or Covid-19 have exceeded 31 million, including nearly 1 million deaths.The
DOINGIndia has an Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
dedicated cold chain points in the country
health authorities at state and district levels is being enhanced to address distribution (to health facilities and outreach sites) and
A National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 is guiding the government on prioritisation of population groups for
manufacturers to seek inputs and know their expectations from the government
Niti Aayog member VK Paul and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan were present at the meetings
The Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PK Mishra, has also met top officials to discuss an effective vaccine distribution
said.Such a dose of optimism is welcome by millions who are quietly praying that the execution of the vaccination roadmap mentioned by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort does prove to be a decisive shot in the arm for the country in its war on Covid-19!
