Vaccination drive

That the country has come a long way in its vaccination drive against the Covid-19 virus ever since it began in January this year is a matter of great relief, with the milestone of a billion doses being administered expected to be achieved soon. The drive has struggled to overcome difficulties like ensuring the availability of vaccines, their prices, adequate spacing between doses and setting up mechanisms to ensure that it reaches all sections of society, to protect lives and livelihoods, so very essential for the resumption of economic activities. Also, the recovery rate at over 98 per cent might be the highest since March 2020 and the active caseload might have fallen below the 2-lakh mark, the lowest in over six months, the battle is far from over, with the target of covering adults with both doses yet to be achieved and the December deadline all set to get pushed into the next year.

The drive has to guard against the risk of reaching a plateau and complacency setting in. Export of vaccines should not be at the cost of its availability at home. With travel, social and political gatherings increasing, the country has to sort out the issue of acceptability of its vaccine certificates by other countries so that its nationals are able to go abroad without any hindrance. Along with this, there is still need to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour to minimise risks.

The government is also faced with the task of deciding on vaccinating children against Covid-19. The emergency use authorisation of Covaxin on 2 to 18 years old has been recommended, but the DCGI nod is awaited. Another vaccine, ZyCov-D, was approved for emergency use in those above 12 years. While the US and the UK have already inoculated adolescents, India will have to take an informed decision, with students gradually returning to classrooms. Amid a sense of achievement, it is also important for the vaccination drive to not lose its focus and steam. Much has been achieved but a lot more remains to be done.

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