What About Free Vaccine?

With the world’s largest vaccination drive against Covid-19 being launched a day ago, the Congress on Sunday asked the government to come clean on the free vaccines it promised to all the Indians and when they would be delivered to underprivileged and poor.

The BJP leaders even included free Corona vaccine to all in the party’s manifesto released during the Assembly elections in Bihar and GHMC polls in Telangana. In their enthusiasm to win the elections, the BJP leaders promised free houses, flood relief and free drinking water too to the electorate in the Hyderabad civic body polls.

First phase of vaccination

Congress chief spokesperson and party general secretary Randeep Surjewala asked the Narendra Modi government to spell out its distribution policy. He reminded that the government claimed that it would cover 3 crore people in the first phase of vaccination drive but is yet to clarify when would the remaining population be given the vaccine and if it is free.

“Is the government not aware that 81.35 crore people are eligible for subsidised ration under the Food Security Act? Will the SC, ST, BC, OBC, BPL, APL, the poor and the underprivileged get the vaccine for free or not? If yes, what is the roll-out plan and by when will the government ensure free vaccination,” he asked.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government need to answer…Who will get free corona vaccine? How many people will get the free corona vaccine? Where will you get free corona vaccine,” he said.

Two vaccines

The Congress chief spokesperson also raised questions over the pricing of the two vaccines approved by the authorities for emergency use — Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech and Covishield by the SII. He also asked why were not both vaccines put in the National List of Essential Medicines.

Surjewala also wondered why the Indian government was paying Rs 95 more to Bharat Biotech for a vaccine that has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientists. “Should the price of such a vaccine not be cheaper than the AstraZeneca-Serum Institute? Why is the price of corona vaccine Rs 1,000 per dose in the open market when it is selling for Rs 200 to the government,” he asked.

He said the government should demand transparency from the companies on the cost of production and profits being made from the vaccine.

 “Vaccine development and mass immunisations are not events of publicity stunts, but important milestones in the service of the people.”

“While India stands united in providing immunisation against the Coronavirus to our frontline Corona warriors — doctors, health workers, police personnel and others — let’s remember that vaccinations are an important public service and not a political or business opportunity,” he said.

Mass inoculation drive launched

On Saturday last, the first Covid-19 vaccine shots in India were given to more than 2 lakh frontline healthcare and sanitation workers after Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the world’s largest inoculation drive against Covid-19 that led to 1,52,093 deaths.

Modi asserted that the two vaccines being deployed will ensure a decisive victory for India against Coronavirus.  

The Modi government also said that cost of vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers will be borne by the central government.