Despite the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, the week commencing 1st May 2021 saw a significant drop in the number of vaccine doses administered worldwide. This has marked the lowest level in eight weeks since the government extended vaccination beyond priority groups. An analysis of global concerns and challenges specific to India will help understanding the current vaccination landscape.
Global Issues Affecting Vaccination Rates
A key factor contributing to this situation is the massive global population. To vaccinate approximately seven billion people, most of whom require two doses each, the demand for vaccines is extremely high. Additionally, around 80% of these available vaccines have been procured or stocked by a few countries that represent only about 20% of the world’s populace.
This skewed distribution of vaccines has left only 1% of Africa’s population vaccinated, despite the World Health Organization (WHO)-led program like COVAX. Furthermore, there are delays in emergency approval of vaccines. For instance, only Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen have received US approval. Cheap options like the AstraZeneca vaccine still await approval while approval for Russia’s Sputnik V was recently denied in Brazil. Also, vaccines from China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm are yet to secure approval in Western countries.
Vaccination Challenges in India
India grapples with various issues that hinder vaccine delivery. Limited suppliers, such as COVAXIN and COVISHIELD, now face increasing orders from state governments and private hospitals, which may take months to fulfil. Furthermore, a considerable gap exists in the supply chain of the ambitious program to vaccinate all its adult population.
Although India ranks third globally in the total number of vaccines administered after the US and China, only about 13% of its population has received a single jab and around 2% are fully vaccinated. Several countries have already vaccinated over half of their adult population.
The revised vaccine procurement process is biased against smaller hospitals in towns and cities compared to their larger counterparts. This results in an urban-rural healthcare divide in terms of access to the vaccines.
Digital Divide and Vaccination
Mandatory Co-Win registration as part of the new decentralized distribution strategy presents further challenges. This is particularly true for users in rural areas where the English-only interface and access to the platform pose significant barriers. Mandatory online registration favors urban centers since just over half of India’s population has broadband internet access and rural tele-density is less than 60%.
States with some of the country’s lowest tele-density like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh face additional difficulties. This is more problematic for those unfamiliar with technology or without access to a smartphone or computer.
The Way Forward
To improve the situation, efficacious and safe vaccines of all origins should be critically yet promptly examined and included in the supply. Given its status as the world’s leading vaccine producer, India’s Covid-19 vaccine drive is not only critical to vaccinating its population but also that of the world. By addressing issues related to the development and distribution of vaccines, the process can be expedited, ensuring vaccinations reach hundreds of millions in the shortest possible time.
