Ramp up vax production, ensure even distribution

Restructure, plug gaps in vaccination policy | Monitor progress of domestic, foreign vaccines under development

To deal with the shortage of vaccines, it is important that we take a balanced diet and practise yoga to keep our immunity system strong to fight the virus. Until the problem of shortage of vaccine is not dealt with, it is the duty of the local and state Health Department to provide nutrient and vitamin-enriched food to the needy people. There is an urgent need to aware people about the benefits of getting vaccinated. In order to complete the need of vaccines, production of vaccines also need to be increased so that people who have not even received the first jab, can get vaccinated to build herd immunity.

Simranjeet kaur

Increase vaccination camps at every level

The number of vaccination camps must be increased and doses should be distributed evenly so that areas where less people have been vaccinated, can also come forward to receive their jabs. It is also important that the second dose of the vaccination can be delayed for sometime so that people who have not got the first jab can receive one to protect themselves from the severity of the virus.

Amarpreet Kaur

Management of vaccine distribution vital

Keeping in view the large population of our country, it is not easy to get everyone vaccinated anytime soon. But vaccine management can be practised to make sure that the problem of shortage of vaccine is dealt with. Management of collection and distribution of vaccines needs to make on a priority basis. The collection of vaccines ought to be done in one common pool under the guidance of one committee and only this committee should make distribution norms for the same. It is also important that people who are most vulnerable to the virus must get vaccinated as soon as possible.

JBS Nanda

Make vaccine affordable

The shortage of vaccine in the country is a serious problem right now and is affecting the citizens to a great extent. The problem needs to be sorted as soon as possible. To overcome these problems, it is essential to acknowledge the intangible value of vaccination. Hospitals should work directly with Serum Institute of India to procure their supplies of vaccine.

Varun Chauhan

Widening gap between two doses good decision

The problem of shortage of vaccine in the country has increased after the Centre allowed vaccination to people in the age group of 18-44. To check this shortage, a direct approach is to increase local production of the vaccines. At present, such an immediate increase in production of vaccine is limited as it requires developing further infrastructure and more time lag between production and use. However, the country must ensure more production of vaccine locally by giving licences to new and capable units. All efforts must be made so that the country is self-sufficient in vaccinating all its citizens. The import of vaccine from abroad at this stage is also limited. As an alternative, the Centre’s decision to increase the gap between the first and the second dose is also a step in the right direction. This will allow more and more people to get their first jab.

Gautam Dev

Get vulnerable groups vaccinated first

As far as the shortage of the vaccine is concerned, the administration is doing its best to procure as many doses so that more and more people can get vaccinated. Sputnik V has also arrived in the country. It is not the responsibility of residents to register themselves for vaccination. It is also important that people shed all inhibitions and get their elders vaccinated first.

Dr Sunil Chopra

Distribute vaccine doses evenly to centres

Government must open more vaccination centres and distribute doses evenly so that people at village levels can also receive their first jab. After the announcement of vaccination to people above the age of 18, there is a huge rush outside the centres but there are still many people above the age of 45, who are still waiting for their second dose. It is important to vaccinate the vulnerable groups first. The local government must demand for more doses. Doses should be distributed evenly so that if there are more number of vulnerable people living in an area, they can be vaccinated first. People should not create panic and must have patience.

Farzana Khan

Need to increase vaccine production

When the Covid-19 pandemic began spreading, India, like most other countries, was left scrambling for protective gear and medical equipment to manage the crisis. As the world prepares itself for the launch of vaccines that are expected to bring the pandemic to an end, India may be better prepared at least on one count. As the world’s leading vaccine manufacturer, India may have better access to vaccines than many other parts of the developing world. As per reports only 3 per cent people of the total population are fully vaccinated till know. Moreover, this is not sure that they received original vaccines or not, as the hospitals are using fake vaccines which don’t have any benefit.

Akshar Kumar

Plan vaccination for age groups judiciously

There must be proper planning for vaccination. The government should first cover one age group and when that group has been vaccinated, the turn of next group should come. It is also important that production of vaccines be doubled and more licences be given for more production. India is the second-highest populous country in the world and vaccinated every citizen will take a lot of time.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Boost production

Now that more and more people are coming forward to get vaccinated, a shortage in the country is being reported. There is no doubt that doubt manufacturing of vaccines is being done at a fast pace, but keeping in mind the population of the country, the pace is slow. Other countries are also exporting vaccines to India. The government should increase the production of vaccine so that more people can receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Harshita khullar

Approve licence to more companies to make vaccine

One of the reasons behind shortage of vaccine is that the Centre has approved only two companies for producing vaccine. The government should expand the licence to more trusted companies to scale up production to meet vaccine needs. The government also needs to import more vaccine from other developed countries to deal with the shortage.

Mehakpreet Kaur

No second dose available for vulnerable groups

Owing to the shortage of vaccine, people aged above 45 have also not been able to get their second dose of the vaccine. The government should give licences to more companies to manufacture vaccines so that all citizens can get vaccinated in time to develop herd immunity.

Navjot Singh

Take action against black marketeers

There must be regular inspection on black marketeering of Covid drugs and vaccines. So far, no news of black marketeering of vaccines has come forward and it should be ensured that people who indulge in this malpractice are punished.

Yashika Thakur

Halt export of vaccines

Ludhiana city is facing an acute shortage of vaccines. Vaccine is now provided to the age group of 18-44 but the remaining people, who are above the age of 45, are still left behind for the second dose, and some even first. The government must ensure proper supply of vaccines on a timely basis. Export of vaccines right now must be strictly prohibited. The government should appoint vigilant committee for checking black marketing of vaccines. Culprits should be strictly punished. Priority must be given to the higher age groups. There must be a proper grievance redressal mechanism to solve the problems of general public.

Ritu Priya

Let vulnerable groups get vaccinated first

The process of vaccination needs to be streamlined throughout the country. There should be a regular supply to vaccination centres, even if the doses are less in number. Priority ought to be given to the age groups of 45 plus as they are more vulnerable ones. There is also patience required on the part of people aged between 18 and 44 to get vaccinate. We should not get anxious as it always leads to chaos. The fight against the virus cannot be won if we don’t stand together.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

Rope in pvt players to boost vax production

Though the process of vaccination had begun and many people are getting it too, there is a huge shortage in vaccination for the people between 18 and 44 years. The government should frame new policies and distribution should be done on the needs of each state. The Centre should give the authority to state government for the production of vaccination in the respective states. More private companies can also be roped in to manufacture vaccines.

Gurleen Kaur

Vaccinate registered beneficiaries first

The first thing the government should do is to increase vaccination production as much as it possible. Exporting of vaccines is also a reason behind its shortage. People are already facing a lot of problems during the pandemic but getting vaccinated should not be one of them. Registered candidates must be given priority over unregistered candidates. Duplicacy of vaccines should also be kept in check.

Shine Rawal

Organise camps for different age groups separately

The following measures can be taken to increase vaccination rate. They include organising camps in various areas of the district for different age groups separately. Vaccination centres information should be posted at various social media platform and print media to increase awareness about the vaccine. The government can appoint volunteer staff so that more camps can be organised and more people can be vaccinated.

Rajat Kapoor

Involve NGOs in campaign

Local and state governments should allow NGOs to organise vaccination camps at large scales. Earlier, many NGOs were organising vaccination camps in first stage of vaccination but the case is not so similar now. Many people were coming forward to get vaccinated through NGOs. Roping in such organisations will help in getting more people vaccinated.

Shashi Bhushan Goyal

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OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

From the worst-hit to the safest district in the state, Ludhiana has made a turnaround within 20 days with Covid positivity rate dropping drastically from the highest-ever 19.57 per cent on May 2 to the record low of 3.99 per cent on May 22. Should the strict restrictions of daily curfew and complete weekend lockdown in force be further relaxed or be continued further? Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]