‘We need to stay prepared for multiple waves and variants’

This is probably not the last wave and these are not the last set of variants. We have to stay prepared for the future. What happens when we see another uptick or outbreak is to a great extent in our hands. We know how to fight this virus. We have to stay prepared for outbreaks … Continue reading ‘We need to stay prepared for multiple waves and variants’

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Achieving vaccine equity by making comorbidities redundant for those above 45 years

As vaccines are a tool to promote health equity, all attempts should be made to remove any artificial barriers in accessing them particularly during the pandemic and more so when several States are witnessing a surge in cases. Just three weeks after India rolled out the second phase of the mass COVID-19 vaccination programme to … Continue reading Achieving vaccine equity by making comorbidities redundant for those above 45 years

Vaccinate all above 45 years to avoid vaccine inequities

While the intent of the government to quickly protect people with comorbidities above the age of 45 years who are at greater risk of progressing to severe form of disease or even death is commendable, any insistence on documentary evidence for vaccination will be hugely counterproductive. Similarly, insisting on prior registration on the CoWIN platform … Continue reading Vaccinate all above 45 years to avoid vaccine inequities

People above 45 years with comorbidities will need doctor certificate, says task force member

Those older than 45 years and with comorbidities will need a certificate from a registered medical doctor. But those older than 60 years will not need any certificate. only Serum Institute’s Covishield vaccine will be available at private hospitals. Self-registration needed for those above 45 years with comorbidities.

Covaxin has only 10% takers nationally; less than 1% uptake in 12 States, Union Territories

As on February 21, the uptake of Covaxin across India is just about 10%. Except Sikkim, where the percentage uptake of Covaxin compared with Covishield is 1%, the uptake in 12 States and Union Territories is far less than 1%. At 27%, Gujarat has reported the highest uptake of Covaxin. As on February 21, the … Continue reading Covaxin has only 10% takers nationally; less than 1% uptake in 12 States, Union Territories

Daily vaccination rate will soon increase exponentially, says task force member

The vaccination rate will increase exponentially in the next few weeks, says Dr. N.K. Arora, Head of the Operations Research Group of the COVID-19 Task Force. According to him, the number of vaccination sessions held each day has already increased from around 3,000 in the beginning to over 12,000 now. In the next few weeks, … Continue reading Daily vaccination rate will soon increase exponentially, says task force member

Glitches in CoWIN also responsible for low COVID-19 vaccine uptake

Clubbing the problems with CoWIN into one phrase — vaccine hesitancy — is a convenient way to abdicate responsibility and deflect the blame for low uptake on the community. Despite the dry run across the country, CoWIN platform is still a work in progress with improvements and upgrades being made each day based on the … Continue reading Glitches in CoWIN also responsible for low COVID-19 vaccine uptake