From Import Of Jabs To Shortage & More: Centre Busts Myths About India's Vaccination Programme

Busting the myths on India's vaccination programme Centre said that such sentiments are arising in the country due to distorted statements, half-truths and blatant lies.

(Representative Image/AFP)

New Delhi:  Amid growing concerns over vaccine shortage, its import and manufacturing, the government on Thursday said that several myths on country's Covid-19 vaccination programme are doing rounds and refuted the claims by some opposition leaders that the Centre is not doing enough to ramp-up domestic production of vaccines.

Busting these myths, Centre said that such sentiments are arising in the country due to distorted statements, half-truths and blatant lies.

In a statement on 'Myth and Facts on India's Vaccination Process' NITI Aayog Member (Health) and Chairman of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), Dr Vinod Paul pointed out that vaccines are in limited supply globally, and companies have their own priorities, game-plans and compulsions in allocating finite stocks.

Here Are 7 Myths Busted By Centre Of India's Vaccination Programme:

Myth: Centre not doing enough to procure vaccines from abroad

Centre's Claim: While clarifying the confusion, Niti Aayog said Centre has has remained engaged continuously with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid-2020, adding multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, J&J & Moderna.

The government body also added that Centre has offered all assistance to have them supply and /or manufacture their vaccines in India.

"However, it is not that their vaccines are available in free supply. We need to understand that buying vaccines internationally is not similar to buying ‘off the shelf’ items," Paul said.

Niti Aayog also out the vaccines are in limited supply globally and the companies have their own priorities, game-plans and compulsions in allocating finite stocks. "They also give preference to countries of their origin just as our own vaccine makers have done unhesitatingly for us," Paul said.

Dr Paul further added that as soon as Pfizer indicates vaccine availability, Centre and the firm will initiate process for the earliest possible import of the vaccine.

Stating Sputnik vaccine trials got accelerated as a result of its efforts, Niti Aayog official said that Russia has with timely approval already sent two tranches of vaccines & accomplishedtech-transfer to our companies that would start manufacturing very soon. "We reiterate our request to all international vaccine makers to come and make in India – for India and for the world," he added.

Myth: Centre has not approved vaccines available globally?

Centre's Claim: Government claims it has proactively eased entry of vaccines approved by US FDA, EMA, UK's MHRA and Japan's PMDA, and WHO's Emergency Use Listing into India in April.

These vaccines will not need to undergo prior bridging trials as provision has now been further amended to waive off the trial requirement altogether for the well-established vaccines manufactured in other countries.

The government also stated that no application of any foreign manufacturer for approval is pending with the drugs controller.

Myth: Centre is not doing enough to ramp up domestic production of vaccines?

Stating it is playing the role of an effective facilitator to enable more companies to produce vaccines from the early 2020, the Niti Aayog said there is only one Indian company (Bharat Biotech) which has the IP.

It added that government has ensured three other companies/plants will start production of Covaxin apart from enhancing Bharat Biotech’s own plants, which have increased from 1 to 4.

In his clarification, Dr Paul also informed Covaxin production by Bharat Biotech is being increased from under 1 crore per month to 10 crore month by October, adding the three PSUs will additionally together aim to produce up to 4.0 crore doses by December.

Dr Paul also pointed out that Serum Institute of India (SII) is with its constant encouragement ramping up Covishield production of 6.5 crore doses per month to 11.0 crore doses per month, 

The government is also ensuring in partnership with Russia that Sputnik will be manufactured by six companies coordinated by Dr Reddy’s.

The Centre is supporting efforts of Zydus Cadila, BioE as well Gennova for their respective indigenous vaccines through liberal funding under Covid Suraksha scheme as also the technical support at national laboratories.

The government informed the development of Bharat Biotech’s single dose intranasal vaccine is proceeding well with its funding and added it could be a game-changer for the world,

Myth: Centre should invoke compulsory licensing?

Centre's Claim: Niti Aayog informed that compulsory licensing is not a very attractive option since it is not a ‘formula’ that matters but active partnership, training of human resources, sourcing of raw materials and highest levels of bio-safety labs which is required.

Stating tech transfer is the key, the government body said it remains in the hands of the company that has carried out Research and Development.

Dr Paul also informed that the government has gone one step ahead of compulsory licensing and in tune with the same ensuring active partnership between Bharat Biotech and three other entities to enhance production of Covaxin and a similar mechanism is being followed for Sputnik.

Myth: Centre is not giving enough vaccines to the states?

Centre's Claim: On the issue of vaccine shortage in several states, Niti Aayog said that Centre is allotting enough vaccines to the states in a transparent manner as per agreed guidelines, adding states are also being informed in advance of the vaccine availability. Expressing confidence that vaccine availability would increase in near future and much more supply would be possible, Dr Paul said that states are getting 25 per cent of the doses and private hospitals are getting 25 per cent doses in the non-Government of India channel.

The government body, however, agreed to the fact that hiccups and issues being faced by the people in the administration of these doses. The Centre categorically stated this is not the time to play politics and appealed to everyone to unite in this fight. 

Myth: Centre is not taking any step to vaccinate children?

Centre's Claim: The government stated no country in the world is, as of now, giving vaccines to children and added the World Health Organisation (WHO) has no recommendation on vaccinating the children.

Further stating the trials in children in India are also going to begin soon, the government said that vaccinating children should, however, not be decided on the basis of panic in WhatsApp groups and because some politicians want to play politics.