Covid vaccine for 18 plus can private hospitals help the nation reach 100 percent vaccinated status

 

The central government has formulated the national Covid-19 vaccination strategy. A task force was constituted last year in August—National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19—under the chairmanship of VK Paul, member (health) of Niti Aayog, to ascertain various aspects ranging from conceptualisation to last-mile delivery. 

 

On Jan 16, 2021, India began vaccinating healthcare and frontline workers. 

 

On March 1, 2021  vaccinations were extended to those above 60 years and those above 45 years with comorbidities. Starting April 1, all above 45 years were eligible to be vaccinated. The latest iteration of the vaccination policy was decided in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Starting May 1, the eligible age for vaccination has been lowered to 18 years, however, a shortage of vaccines has acutely affected this ambitious plan.

"We have been receiving various queries from people of 18+ age group, eagerly waiting to get vaccinated in a private hospital, it is high time the government needs rope in private players to expedite the vaccination drive. I believe, walk-in vaccination is the best way to counter any technology-related hindrance, as an earlier citizen has faced such issues of registration platform not working", said Dr Yatharth  Tyagi, Director, Yatharth Group of Speciality hospitals. 

 

Amid the many speculations about vaccination for the 18+ age group, private players like Yatharth Group of Speciality Hospital is all geared up to play shoulder to shoulder with the government and make India completely vaccinated.