Government in no hurry to allow sale of vaccines in open market

Even as the demand to allow Covid-19 vaccine sales in the open market grows in light of the rising number of cases, the government said it is not satisfied with the pace of vaccination in several states and it is important for those who are more vulnerable to be covered first.

“We need to see who needs and who wants it,” said a senior health ministry official. “We have expanded since the introduction of the vaccines. Going ahead, we will further open it for the vulnerable, but not for everyone.” Health ministry officials said the pace of inoculation needs further acceleration.

Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to states including Maharashtra and Punjab on Monday, asking them to accelerate the pace of vaccination. He stressed on the need to tackle vaccine hesitancy in Maharashtra, where only 40% of the healthcare workers have been inoculated.

A parliamentary panel has also expressed concern over the slow pace of Covid-19 vaccination in India. “Till now, less than 1% of the Indian population has been vaccinated and at this rate it will take many years to vaccinate the entire population,” the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs said in a report on demand for grants for 2021-23.

Experts and doctors said India’s vaccination plan needs a booster dose. Ambrish Mithal, chairman, endocrinology and diabetes, Max Healthcare, suggested a lower age cut-off, inclusion of those without comorbidities and targeting of groups that work in closed spaces like offices, banks and courts.
Ministry officials said the decision to allow the sale of vaccines in the open market will also depend on supplies. “We have to first ensure that people who are priority groups get it and then there are international commitments,” a senior official said.

The number of vaccines that India has sent abroad exceeds the number of vaccines administered in the country.