According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, it said that while no date has been set for the launch of a vaccine, it could be ready by the first quarter of 2021 and be available first to those who need it most, regardless of their ability to pay. . ,
The minister made these comments during interaction with his social media followers on the ‘Sunday Samvad’ platform.
It covered a multitude of queries related not only to the current COVID-19 situation, but also to the government’s approach, the expected changes in the post-COVID world, and the steps taken by the Modi dispensation.
Vardhan stated that the government is taking every precaution in human trials of vaccines and the National Panel of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 under the Chairmanship of Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, is elaborating a detailed strategy on how to immunize the majority of the population.
“Issues like vaccine safety, cost, fairness, cold chain requirements, production timelines, etc. have also been hotly debated,” he said.
In addition, he said that the government is considering the emergency authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for older people and people who work in high-risk environments.
“This will be done after a consensus has been reached,” he said.
To allay any fears about the safety aspect of vaccines, he said he would be happy to take the first dose “if people have a confidence deficit.”
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On vaccine candidates and their development in the country, he said that India is actively partnering with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and trials of various vaccines are being conducted at different stages in laboratories (private or public) and hospitals.
The Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council for Medical Research have been proactive in responding to the emerging situation, he said.
A consensus is expected to emerge in the coming months on the desired level of protective herd immunity in any community, he said.
However, the minister also noted that a safe and effective vaccine will help establish immunity to COVID-19 at a much faster rate compared to natural infection, according to the statement.
Vardhan highlighted how the pandemic became a turning point for Indian manufacturing.
“From the time when there were no indigenous PPE manufacturers with the necessary standards, now there are almost 110 indigenous PPE manufacturers with the necessary standards. The country is in a position not only to satisfy its own demands, but also to export to help other nations, ”said Vardhan.
Vardhan said that the government has directed all states and UT to set a reasonable price for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals so that it is affordable for the common man.
Free coverage of up to Rs 5 lakhs for COVID-19 patients was announced for those who are eligible under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY package, according to the statement.
He added that the central government has also asked the states and UT to proactively engage with private sector health providers and consider clustering in public and private health centers, as this will help provide prompt medical care. , of good quality and reasonable to COVID-19 patients. .
He himself has appealed to private hospitals to refrain from overcharging COVID patients, according to the statement.
The minister said measures have been taken to ensure the accessibility and affordability of all medicines and other therapies for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
The government has become aware of reports of alleged black marketing of drugs such as Remdesivir and has requested the Central Standard Drug Control Organization (CDSCO) to take appropriate action together with its state counterparts.
Vardhan said the government is aware of the evolving nature of the infection and the emerging evidence of systemic health complications in infected people.
AIIMS and other research institutions have been asked to conduct research to study the long-term impact of COVID-19, he stressed.
The ICMR is establishing a National Clinical Registry on COVID-19 that will provide information on the clinical course of the COVID-19 disease, its spectrum and the outcome of patients.
Consultations of expert groups are already being carried out to review the emerging evidence and generate their own data on the specific sequela of the organic system (respiratory system, renal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system) of COVID-19, he said.
On the recently launched National Digital Health Mission, he said that it is one of the government’s most ambitious missions and is ready to catapult India as a world leader in the field of digital health.
“However, there are vested interests that do not want India to succeed and are spearheading a disinformation campaign against NDHM,” he said.
He said that it is an “absolute lie” that access to hospitals is not allowed to those who do not join this system.
“Those people or institutions that are not part of this system will continue to enjoy access to the health system in exactly the same way that they are doing now. Participation in the digital health ecosystem will be totally optional and will never be mandatory for people, ”he stressed.
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