Since the beginning of the liberalized Covid vaccination rollout, for states it has been a tough time. Central vaccine quotas have been limited and solo efforts to procure directly from manufacturers have fetched little success. Even a state like Arunachal Pradesh with a small population is out of stock and as a result it’s only in a handful of districts, vaccination for 18-44 age group is being carried out and that too with much difficulty. Amid the growing ‘give us more’ chorus from states, NITI Aayog, the national think tank on pressing issues including the Covid pandemic on Thursday has made an elaborate clarification titled ‘Myths & Facts on India’s Vaccination Process’. Its chief takeaway is the attempt to assuage the growing perception that the Centre is not doing enough to mitigate Covid vaccine shortage. How far it will be able to take care of the pressing reality which is extreme scarcity of vaccines is a matter of conjecture. However, the ongoing war of words between Centre and states will escalate.

The statement, a compilation of allegations made so far by the opposition regarding mismanagement of Covid vaccination has been classified as seven ‘Myths’. There is nothing new in this myths-busting effort except for the one that the states now have been blamed for widening of the demand-supply gap of vaccines! The explanation coming under 'Myth 5: Centre has abdicated its responsibility to the states' claims that despite knowing fully the limited production capacity of vaccines in the country and the difficulties in procuring directly from abroad, the states pressed for opening up the inoculation process and sought decentralisation. It went further to assert that the vaccine programme from January-April when exclusively handled by Centre was quite well-administered compared to the situation from May onwards when states ‘interfered’. The ‘blame’ that follows next is even more direct and judgemental- states shouldn’t have asked for decentralisation since they have failed to achieve good vaccination coverage of healthcare and frontline workers during these three months. Arguments and counter-arguments are very much a part of a democratic milieu and they should always be welcomed. But putting the blame for the vaccine mishap squarely on states who are also answerable to their people is uncalled for. Meanwhile, on Thursday itself, NITI Aayog has said that the country should prepare to give 1 crore jabs daily and it will be possible with due preparation and in exactly 3 weeks the capacity will be upscaled to daily 73 lakh doses. The affirmation has come and it will be tracked by citizens.

The nation seems to be losing its focus from the central issue-how to shorten the vaccine demand-supply gap. Resorting to hollow dissensions will lead to nowhere. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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