Govt widened vaccination drive with out contemplating inventory, WHO pointers, says Serum Institute govt director

Amid an acute scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines within the nation, govt director of Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) Suresh Jadhav on Friday alleged that the federal government started inoculating folks from a number of age teams with out bearing in mind the obtainable inventory of vaccines and the WHO pointers.
Speaking at an e-summit organised by Heal Health, a well being advocacy and consciousness platform, Jadhav mentioned the nation ought to have adopted the WHO pointers and prioritised vaccination accordingly.
Initially, 300 million folks had been to be administered the vaccine for which 600 million doses had been required. But earlier than we reached the goal, the federal government opened vaccination for all above 45 years adopted by these aged 18 and above regardless of “knowing well that so much vaccine is not available”, Jadhav mentioned.
“That is the greatest lesson we learnt. We must take into account the availability of the product and then use it judiciously,” added Jadhav.
Jadhav pressured that vaccination is important however even after getting jabbed, persons are inclined to the an infection.
“Therefore, be cautious and follow COVID preventive guidelines. Although the double mutant of Indian variants are neutralised, yet variants can create problems in vaccination,” he mentioned.

“As far as the selection of vaccine is concerned, as per CDC and NIH data, whatever vaccine is available can be taken provided it is licensed by the regulatory body. And it is too early to say which vaccine is efficacious and which is not,” he added.