News Analysis India

Tag: COVID 19 Vaccine in India

  • Strong SC ‘dose’ to Centre on Covid-19 vaccine policy; top court seeks details

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Terming the Centre’s vaccination policy as prima facie arbitrary and irrational, the Supreme Court in its written order sought all details on its formulation. The court directed the Centre to place on record all relevant documents and file notings reflecting its thinking while evolving the policy, and the purchase history of Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V so far. It also asked all states and Union Territories to specify their stand on providing free jabs.

    It saw a policy skew in allowing free vaccination for the vulnerable groups those above 60 and the 45-plus with comorbidities — while enforcing a paid system for the rest. The order was part of the detailed hearing of Monday, which was made available on Wednesday. 

    Countering the Centre’s pitch not to interfere in policy matters, particularly as the pandemic situation was dynamic, the bench led by Justice D Y Chandrachud said it does not intend to second-guess the wisdom of the Executive, but will determine “if the chosen policy conforms to the standards of reasonableness, militates against manifest arbitrariness and protects the right to life of all persons”.

    Appears irrational​Due to the importance of vaccinating individuals in the 18-44 age group, the policy for facilitating free vaccination for vulnerable groups under the first two phases, and replacing it with paid vaccination by state/UT governments and private hospitals for the 18-44 age group is, prima facie arbitrary and irrational. Under the liberalised vaccine policy that came into effect on May 1, the Centre is paying for the vaccines of the 60+ and people above the age of 45 with comorbidities. For the rest, the states can buy up to 50% of their vaccine requirements from manufacturers but they are paying a much higher price than the Centre. Private hospitals are paying even more.

    Addressing the Urban, rural digital divide

    The court asked the Centre to provide data on the percentage of population that has been vaccinated with one or both doses, as against eligible persons in the first three phases of the vaccination drive. The data should include percentage of rural and urban population so far vaccinated.

    Vaccine production ramp-up doable?

    While the Centre is confident of vaccinating everyone in the targeted age group by this December-end, the court sought full details as to how production of such high volume will be achieved. It also asked for an outline on how and when the Centre expects to vaccinate the remaining population.

    Pricing, dates of procurement

    Regarding the pricing of vaccines, the bench asked the Centre to submit a cost comparison of the shots available in India as against their international price. “If Rs 35,000 crore has been allocated for vaccine, why it cannot be used for vaccinating the 18-44 age group?” the court questioned and directed the Centre to produce the entire file on its vaccine purchase history till date. It also sought the dates of procurement orders of all vaccines Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V the number of doses ordered and the projected date of supply.

    Can’t be silent spectators

    The Indian Constitution does not envisage courts to be silent spectators when constitutional rights of citizens are infringed by executive policies. Judicial review and soliciting constitutional justification for policies formulated by the Executive is an essential function, which the courts are entrusted to perform, the bench observed. It said across the globe, the Executive has been given a wider margin in enacting measures, which ordinarily may have violated the liberty of individuals, but are now incumbent to curb the pandemic.

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  • Explain how Rs 35,000 crore budget marked for procuring vaccines is being used: SC tells Centre

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Coming down heavily on the Centre for its ‘arbitrary vaccination policy’, the Supreme Court has asked the government to clarify how the sum of Rs 35,000 crore marked in the Union Budget for procuring vaccines has been spent so far. It also asked why these funds cannot be used for giving free shots to those between 18 and 44.

    “The Budget had earmarked Rs 35,000 crores for procuring vaccines. In light of the Liberalized Vaccination Policy, the Central Government is directed to clarify how these funds have been spent so far and why they cannot be utilised for vaccinating persons aged 18-44 years,” read the 32-page order passed by a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and Ravindra Bhatt.

    Raising questions on the competitive pricing of vaccines, the judges said: “The justification for this policy has been adduced in a bid to spur competition which would attract more private manufacturers that could eventually drive down prices. Prima facie, the only room for negotiation with the two vaccine manufacturers was on price and quantity, both of which have been pre-fixed by the Central Government.

    This casts serious doubts on Centre’s justification for enabling higher prices as a competitive measure. Furthermore, the Central Government justifying its lower prices on account of its ability to place large purchase orders for vaccines raises the issue as to why this rationale is not being employed for acquiring 100 per cent of the monthly CDL doses.

    “If the Central Government’s unique monopolistic buyer position is the only reason for it receiving vaccines at a much lower rate from manufacturers, it is important for us to examine the rationality of the existing Liberalized Vaccination Policy against Article 14 of the Constitution, since it could place severe burdens, particularly on States/UTs suffering from financial distress.”

    The Supreme Court further directed the Union government to respond to the observations made by the three-judge bench by filing a fresh affidavit with all relevant documents and file notings reflecting the thinking of the Centre on the vaccination policy.

  • Court not a silent spectator when citizens’ rights are infringed: SC

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: “Our Constitution does not envisage courts to be silent spectators when constitutional rights of citizens are infringed by executive policies,” the Supreme Court said in response to the Centre’s argument that the judiciary did not have to interfere with policy decisions made by the executive.

    Coming down heavily on the Centre, which had argued that ‘no interference from judicial proceedings is called for when the executive is operating on expert medical and scientific opinion’, the court said: “Judicial review and soliciting constitutional justification for policies formulated by the executive is an essential function, which the courts are entrusted to perform.”

    Quoting from an observation made by the Supreme Court of United States of America “But even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten and a public health emergency does not give Governors and other public officials carte blanche to disregard the Constitution for as long as the medical problem persists” the bench said courts across the globe have often reiterated the expertise of the executive in managing a health crisis, but have also warned against arbitrary and irrational policies.

    Saying that the intention of the court was not to second-guess the wisdom of the executive, the bench said: “However, it continues to exercise jurisdiction to determine if the chosen policy measure conforms to the standards of reasonableness, militates against manifest arbitrariness and protects the right to life of all persons.”

    The bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and Ravindra Bhatt also questioned the Central government’s dual-price policy and procurement policy of Covid-19 vaccines.

  • Ashok Gehlot stresses on free vaccination against Covid-19, says it’s every Indian’s right

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said free universal vaccination is the right of every Indian.

    “All previous central governments have been taking this programme forward. Now when the nation is grappling with an unprecedented health crisis, to deny vaccination to all is totally unjust,” Gehlot tweeted.

    “Let us all raise our voices against this inefficiency and insensitivity of the NDA and demand Free Universal Vaccination,” he said in support of the Congress party’s online campaign for free anti-Covid jabs for all.

  • Daily Covid-19 count in India lowest in 54 days; 2,795 deaths in last 24 hours

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India reported 1,27,510 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest in 54 days, while the daily positivity rate dropped to 6.62 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    With the fresh cases, India’s tally of coronavirus cases rose to 2,81,75,044.

    The COVID-19 death toll climbed to 3,31,895 with 2,795 fresh fatalities, the lowest reported in 35 days, and the active cases were recorded below 20 lakh after 43 days, the data updated at 8.00 am showed.

    Also, 19,25,374 tests were conducted on Monday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 34,67,92,257.

    The daily positivity was recorded at 6.62 per cent.

    It has been less than 10 per cent for eight consecutive days, the ministry said.

    ALSO READ | WHO names COVID-19 variants first found in India as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’

    The weekly positivity rate has declined to 8.64 per cent. The active cases were recorded below 20 lakh after 43 days.

    They have reduced to 18,95,520 comprising 6.73 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 92.09 per cent.

    A net decline of 1,30,572 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for 19 successive days.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,59,47,629, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.18 per cent, the data stated.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court pulls up Centre over slow Covid-19 vaccination in rural India

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore on May 4.

    The 2,795 new fatalities include 500 from Maharashtra, 478 from Tamil Nadu, 411 from Karnataka, 174 from Kerala, 151 from Uttar Pradesh, 131 from West Bengal, and 118 from Punjab.

    A total of 3,31,895 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 95,344 from Maharashtra, 29,090 from Karnataka, 24,237 from Delhi, 24,232 from Tamil Nadu, 20,497 from Uttar Pradesh, 15,541 from West Bengal, 14,550 from Punjab and 13,048 from Chhattisgarh.

    The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

    “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

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  • States, UTs have stock of more than 1.57 crore COVID-19 vaccines: Centre

    The Centre has so far provided, both through the free of cost and through direct state procurement categories, more than 23 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs.

  • Centre to supply 1.92 crore free Covid vaccines to states, UTs this month

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: A total of 191.99 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines–Covishield and Covaxin–will be supplied to states/UTs free of cost from May 16 to May 31, the Union health ministry said on Friday.

    The delivery schedule for the allocation will be shared in advance.

    States/UTs have been requested to direct the officials concerned to ensure rational and judicious utilisation of allocated doses and minimise vaccine wastage, it said.

    The 191.99 lakh doses include 162.5 lakh Covishield doses and 29.49 lakh Covaxin doses.

    ALSO READ | Dr Reddy’s launches Sputnik V jabs in India at around Rs 995 per dose

    “The basic objective behind informing the states and UTs in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Government of India for 15 days is to ensure that they prepare effective plans for judicious and optimum utilisation of these free vaccine doses which are meant for the age group of 45 and above, and for healthcare and frontline workers,” the ministry said.

    In the previous fortnight, that is 1 May-May 15, 2021, a total quantum of more than 1.7 crore vaccine doses has been made available by the Centre to states/UTs, free of charge.

    In addition, more than 4.39 crore doses were made available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals in the month of May, the ministry said.

    The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country is nearly 18 crore (17.93 crore as per the 7 am provisional report on Friday).

    The COVID-19 vaccination drive has successfully completed 118 days wherein 17.93 crore doses have been administered to identified beneficiaries through collaborative efforts of all states and UTs.

    India is the fastest country globally to reach the 17 crore target in 114 days.

    The US took 115 days and China took 119 days to administer the same amount of doses.

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    The ‘Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy’ is being implemented from May 1 2021 wherein 50 per cent of the available doses are earmarked for supply to states and UTs, as free of cost supply from Government of India channel, while the remaining 50 per cent is available for direct procurement from the vaccine manufacturers by states and UTs and private hospitals.

    The allocation of Centre’s supplies to states/UTs is decided on the consumption pattern and beneficiary load for second doses during the upcoming fortnight, the ministry stated.

  • 216 cr COVID jabs to be available in 5 months between August-December, enough to cover all: Centre

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: As states grapple with a shortage of coronavirus vaccines, the Centre Thursday said that over two billion doses will be made available in the country in five months between August and December, enough to vaccinate the entire population.

    V K Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog, also said the Russian anti-Covid vaccine Sputnik V is likely to be available by next week.

    With the domestic supply falling short to meet the huge demand, several states and Union Territories including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana have decided to opt for global tenders for procurement of anti-coronavirus shots.

    Acknowledging the crunch, Paul said vaccines are important “but it takes time” to produce and make them available.

    “We are passing through a phase when supply is finite.”] “This is why we prioritised. Which is why (when) free vaccines were given by the government of India, their focus was on vulnerable age groups.

    We have to keep this mind,” he said at a Health Ministry briefing.

    However, the officer said that by the end of the year there will be enough vaccine doses in the country to inoculate the entire population.

    “Over two billion doses will be made in the country in five months (August to December) for India and for the people of India.

    Vaccine will be available for all as we move forward,” Paul said, adding that the number is likely to be ramped up to three billion by the first quarter of the next year.

    He said that the estimated 216 crore doses that are likely to be produced between August and December include 75 crore doses of Covishield and 55 cores doses of Covaxin.

    Further, Biological E is expected to produce 30 crore doses, Zydus Cadila 5 crore, Serum Institute of India 20 crore doses of Novavax, and Bharat Biotech 10 crore doses of its nasal vaccine, while Gennova will make available 6 crore doses and Sputnik V 15.6 crore doses, he said.

    The vaccine candidates of Biological E, Zydus Cadila, Gennova, Bharat Biotech’s nasal vaccine are in various stages of clinical trials.

    On the procurement of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, Paul said the government is in touch with these firms through the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of External Affairs.

    “We asked formally whether they would like to send doses to India, manufacture in India, we will find partners.

    They said they will talk about vaccine availability in Q3 (quarter 3).

    We have intensified this process with Moderna, Pizer and J&J and we hope they will come forward,” Paul said.

    “This is happening at the highest level,” he stressed.

    “We invite (them). They make vaccines here, make it with our companies through technology transfer.

    Under the new strategy, that channel is open and we will support in every possible way,” he said.

    On vaccination drives in other countries compared to India, Paul cited the examples of the US, Germany and France where the entire population has not received the single dose of vaccine yet.

    The government has already said that India is the fastest country globally to reach the landmark of administering 17 crore doses in 114 days.

    Paul also defended the Centre’s vaccination policy, which several states have criticised.

    Many opposition-ruled states have been opposing the policy which mandates them to procure vaccines, nationally and internationally.

    Opposition states chief ministers too have been demanding free vaccines for all.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the fact that the states are “left to fight” with one another in the international market for Covid vaccines portrays a “bad” image of India.

    “Indian states left to compete/fight with each other in international market. UP fighting Maha, Maha fighting Orissa, Orissa fighting Delhi. Where is ‘India’? Portrays such a bad image of India. India, as one country, shud procure vaccines on behalf of all Indian states (sic),” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo said in a tweet.

    Replying to such criticisms, Paul said, “States wanted flexibility. It (the vaccination policy) was in that response.

    There was also a demand that there should be (availability of doses) in the private sector,” he said.

    “Any vaccine that is approved by the WHO, FDA can be imported to India. They can get an import license in two days. Who is stopping them?” he added.

    He said that so far 35.6 crore vaccine doses have been either procured or are in the process of procurement by the Centre.

    Giving a detailed break-up, he said under the PM-Cares Fund, 6.6 crore (5.6 crore Covishield and 1 crore Covaxin) doses have been procured and utilised, while 1 croreCovishield doses have been received and utilised under the Gavi COXAV facility.

    Under phase II, 12 crore (10 crore Covishield and 2 crore Covaxin) doses are being procured, he said, adding of these, 86 per cent doses have been received while the rest are expected by the end of this month.

    Under phase III, he said, 16 crore (11 crore Covishield and 5 crore Covaxin) doses are being procured.

    The supply for these doses will begin from May 21 and continue through July.

    Separately, 16 crore additional doses are in the pipeline which are being procured directly by the states and private hospitals, he said.

    “So, overall, 51.6 crore doses are being procured.”

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  • Sputnik V jabs have reached India, could be available from next week: NITI Aayog

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Amid reports of the shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in various states, Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India, and “hopefully” it will be available in the market from next week, said Dr VK Paul, member (health) of the NITI Aayog, on Thursday.

    “Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India. I’m happy to say that we’re hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week. We’re hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia) will begin next week, said Dr Paul while addressing media.

    He said the production of Sputnik is scheduled to begin in India by July. “Further supply will also follow. Its production will begin in July and it is estimated that 15.6 crore doses will be manufactured in that period,” Dr Paul said.

    Notably, Sputnik V is the third vaccine India has given go-ahead to after Covishield, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca and Covaxin, the indigenous vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech. Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

    ALSO READ | India will examine claim of single-dose version of Sputnik V vaccine: NITI Aayog member

    Talking about the Central government’s move to increase the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the NITI Aayog member said that overall, 216 crore doses of vaccines will be manufactured in India between August and December – “for India and for Indians”.

    “There should be no doubt that vaccine will be available for all as we move forward…Any vaccine that is approved by FDA, WHO can come to India. Import license will be granted within 1-2 days. No import license is pending,” he added.

    He further informed that the Department of Biotechnology, along with other concerned departments and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been in touch with Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson from the initial days of vaccine production.

    “They were officially asked if they would like to send doses to or manufacture in India. We will find partners and assist. They had said that they are working in their own way and they would talk of vaccine availability in the third quarter in 2021. We are connected to them. I’m hopeful that they will step forward to increase availability in India. We invite them to manufacture here along with our companies. Johnson and Johnson did a good job. They accepted this offer under Quad,” Dr Paul said.

    ALSO READ | Vaccine shortage: Serum Institute to produce 10 crore doses by August, Bharat Biotech promises 7.8 crore jabs

    He added that nearly 18 crore doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in India.

    “In the US, the number stands around 26 crores. So, India stands in the third position. We are happy to report that one-third of 45 and above are protected. 45 and above age group contributes to 88 per cent of deaths. So you can imagine, how many dents it would have made to reduce the risk of death of this population,” the NITI Aayog member added.

    Dr Paul also informed that Bharat Biotech has welcomed the offer of other companies manufacturing Covaxin to increase its production in the country.

    “People say that Covaxin should be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, a live virus is inactivated and this is done only in BSL3 labs. Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin, should do it together. The government will assist so that capacity is increased,” he said.

  • States to receive 7 lakh additional COVID-19 vaccine doses within next three days: Centre

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: More than 90 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs which will receive over 7 lakh additional doses in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

    The Centre has so far provided more than 18 crore vaccine doses (18,00,03,160) to states and UTs free of cost.

    Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 17,09,71,429 doses.

    “More than 90 lakh COVID Vaccine doses (90,31,691) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. States with negative balance are showing more consumption (including wastage) than vaccine supplied as they have not reconciled the vaccine they have supplied to Armed Forces,” the ministry said.

    ALSO READ | Kejriwal asks Centre to share vaccine formula with other companies to scale up production

    States and UTs will receive 7,29,610 additional vaccine doses in addition within the next three days.

    The ministry said the Government of India has been supporting the nationwide vaccination drive by providing COVID vaccines free of cost to states and UTs.

    Implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of COVID-19 Vaccination has started from 1st May 2021.

    In the strategy it is made clear that every month only 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by the Centre.

    The Centre would continue to procure its share of 50 per cent of the monthly CDL cleared vaccines and would continue to make it available to state governments free of cost as was being done earlier.

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