Vaccination in India: Issues before the Supreme Court

[Sukla Sen]

The vaccination policy in India, as it appears, is slated to have three phases.

Under the phase (i) - that had been launched mid-January this year (ref.: <https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/covid-19-vaccine-launch-india>), the Centre was monopolising all available vaccine doses from the two producers in the country and then disbursing as per its sweet will - with no norms fixed.

When the severe scarcity of vaccine doses became all too stark, the phase (ii) was initiated (w.e.f. May 1, ref.: <https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1712710>) under which the Centre would keep 50% of the vaccines and disburse as per its own sweet will.

For the rest 50%, the states will compete among themselves and with various private entities. For each vaccine there're, now, three levels of selling price by the producers.

(Ref.: <https://groups.google.com/g/greenyouth/c/SqAGrD-JtK0/m/0ohtVNwbAQAJ>.)

Moreover, quite strikingly, when vaccine supply was already running short, a new category - from 18 to under 45 years of age, was made eligible for vaccines - without any augmentation in supply.

That sparked off a regular chaos.

Not because the Modi regime didn't foresee it, but because the regime precisely intended it.

In order to shift the blame of gross vaccine mismanagement from itself to the states - to the non-BJP states, in particular.

It was also meant to provide an opportunity to the two vaccine producers and other private enterprises to make bumper profits.

Now, with the Supreme Court coming in between and taking a tough posture (ref.: <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-order-on-covid-19-vaccines-cant-be-silent-spectators-2454705>) - a sort of course correction (ref.: <https://groups.google.com/g/greenyouth/c/YKiZNo4ncbE> and <https://www.bbc.com/news/57400891>) - under a phase (iii) to be launched on the coming June 21st has been put forward.

I, for one'd guess, that the specifics would get further updated as and when the Court delivers its final verdict.

The basic problem is that there's serious shortage of vaccines - in India and globally.

Apparently, the regime was only interested in mopping up cut-money - following the dictum that no good crisis should be wasted; didn't spend a rupee to ensure augmentation of production.

India is, btw, the largest manufacturer of vaccines in the world (<https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/covid-19-vaccine-launch-india>) and has long experience in mass vaccination - since well before Independence (ref.: <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/news-analysis-history-shows-india-did-not-lack-access-to-vaccines-as-claimed-by-pm-modi/article34758021.ece>).

That initial advantage was simply wasted.

It, perhaps, believed in its own bluff that Taali/Thaali/Diya is enough to tackle the pandemic. 

The visuals of dead bodies burning in parking slots and floating in the Ganga have, however, made a difference.

The basic issue is that (i) the production of vaccines has got to be augmented.

And (ii) the produced vaccines are to be fairly, efficiently and transparently disbursed.

Hope the Supreme Court - now, mercifully rid of Gogoi and Bobde, would pay attention to both the aspects.