Should India Vaccinate Those With Comorbidities Than Opening It Up For Everyone Above 45?
Even though there are two domestically manufactured vaccines available in the country, Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin, from Bharat Biotech, a large-scale rollout is still far away.
India is the second-worst COVID-19 affected country in the world after the US and is currently in the grip of a second wave, of the outbreak, which appears to be spreading at a faster phase.
This is despite the fact that India has one of the fastest vaccine rollouts around the world.
But thanks to its population of 1.3 billion, the more than five crore 55 lakh four thousand doses of Covid-19 vaccine that have been administered to the beneficiaries in the country so far is just the tip of the iceberg.
Reuters
Large scale rollout still far away
Even though there are two domestically manufactured vaccines available in the country, Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin, from Bharat Biotech, a large-scale rollout is still far away.
In January, when India began administering the vaccines it was only for health care workers and in the second phase which began this month those above the age of 60 and those above the age of 45 and having comorbidities like high blood pressure and diabetes were made eligible to get the vaccines.
AFP
Post April 1, those above 45 can get vaccinated
From April, those above the age of 45 will be able to receive the vaccine, even if they don't have any comorbidities.
This has left many, especially those with comorbidities, but are below the age of 45 wondering.
India is often described as the diabetics capital of the world and Indians between the age group of 18 and 35 years are most vulnerable to illness.
A 2018 study had found that one in five young adults in India has high blood pressure.
AFP
Eye opening studies
Blood pressure was recorded in around 180,000 Indian adults. Of those, 89,210 were 18¨C39 years old and are the focus of the current study. The average age was 28 years and two-thirds were men. Tinu Cherian Abraham, a Bengaluru-based communication professional and social media influencer who is both diabetic and has high blood pressure, but falls under the age of 45 feels that people like him should be prioritized.
"If Government is allowing everyone above 45 years to be vaccinated from next month, please allow above 35 with comorbidities along with. I am diabetic, have high BP (both under medication since long) and a family history of heart issues. And not yet 45. Vaccination need to faster," he wrote on Twitter.
If Government is allowing everyone above 45 years to be vaccinated from next month, please allow above 35 with comorbidities along with.
¡ª Tinu Cherian Abraham (@tinucherian) March 25, 2021
I am diabetic, have high BP (both under medication since long) and a family history of heart issues. And not yet 45.
Vaccination need to faster
Others too have expressed similar opinions.
Totally agree ! There are people under 45 too who have serious conditions and Corona can be fatal for them. Why can¡¯t we buy vaccines if we can afford it and there¡¯s no shortage either ? You can export all you want, but don¡¯t deny your own. https://t.co/V0bdHEN8aX
¡ª Maj Manik M Jolly,SM (@Manik_M_Jolly) March 17, 2021
There are many below 45 with comorbidities. Aren¡¯t they at risk than those above 45? I¡¯m 44, have a stent and I know ardent supporters of this govt who are eligible but aren¡¯t confident about the efficacy or side-effects of the vaccine, and aren¡¯t taking it even when I¡¯m waiting! https://t.co/0WFsUJ2tDD
¡ª Dennis Marcus Mathew (@dennismarcus) March 23, 2021
Shouldn't people with co morbidities and transplant recipients (irrespective of age), be prioritised over people aged between 45 and 60? They are more vulnerable.
¡ª Natasha ? ? ????? (@nuts2406) March 23, 2021
Who advices the government? https://t.co/S6cD3Ay620
I am obese and I have hypertension but I won¡¯t get a vaccine because I am below 45. Thanks to Government.
¡ª The Common Man (@TheComm26896914) March 23, 2021
All this political diplomacy is great @DrSJaishankar ji. What about lakhs of Indians below 45 who are yet to receive the vaccine back home? Surely internal affairs can be handled first, especially in the wake of newly rising Covid cases!
¡ª ??????? (@veejaysai) March 20, 2021
Save diplomacy for another day! ? https://t.co/lpM3bFskly
India, like other countries, is rolling out COVID-19 vaccines in a phased manner, due to the demand and supply gap, which is likely to remain the same for a long time.
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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