Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given top priority to healthcare in her Union Budget 2021-2022 speech and has allocated a sum of Rs 2,23,846 crores towards the same, which is an additional Rs 1.3 lakh crores when compared to the previous year. Under this allocation, a sum of Rs 35,000 crores has been announced for the vaccination drive. For a population of 68.6 crores, it has been decided that two doses each costing Rs 255 has been fixed and in case the cost of the doses would increase, the Union Minister stated that budget allocation would be increased further as needed. Already in India, two vaccines have approved by the Cabinet for emergency use which is Covaxin and Covishield, manufactured by Bharat Biotech and the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca respectively. While it is known that India is exporting Covid19 vaccines to nearly 100 nations.
Half Population
At present Covid vaccines are being manufactured on a fast-track basis. A campaign is also on regarding the adverse effects of the vaccine on a few people at some places. However, medical experts have condemned such misleading reports. However, the Centre needs to still decide regarding administering the vaccines to people aged above 65-years and to children. On the other hand, a decision regarding this can be taken only after a full-fledged analysis of the vaccine on health-related issues and changes. As part of this, an allocation of Rs 35,000 crores has been announced by the Union Finance Minister for half of the population. Also for Covid vaccines to be declared as a primary vaccine, more tests need to be done and clarity on vaccines with fewer side effects still needs to be worked out.
