India’s priority list of people identified to receive the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine, when available for use, is likely to include people aged 65 and over, according to government sources.
“Based on the discussions, the administration of the vaccine is likely to be done in phases with high-risk population groups that include front-line workers such as healthcare professionals and people from other departments who work. to manage the outbreak on the ground, and the elderly who are at higher risk of developing a serious illness due to low immunity and comorbidities, ”said a senior government official on the record, who asked not to be named.
“The plan has not yet been finalized and is still in process,” added the official.
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The center had formed the National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration, chaired by Dr VK Paul and co-chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in August, which is in the process of drafting a time-bound plan for ensure that people are vaccinated. as soon as the vaccine is available.
“A document has been prepared in this regard, which is in its final stages of preparation, and has already been shared with state governments; your input has been taken. We are also in the process of finalizing databases of several priority population groups to whom the vaccine will be administered when it becomes available. We are in close collaboration with the state governments and with the other central ministries also regarding the administration of the vaccine, ”Bhushan said during Tuesday’s press conference on the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Furthermore, according to a recent global analysis of Advance Market Commitments (AMC) for experimental vaccines through October 8, India has used its manufacturing capacity to pre-order 600 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine. It is negotiating another 1 billion doses, which are enough to vaccinate at least half of its population.
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