India’s vaccine roll-out faces key obstacles
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Significance
Earlier this month, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed in India as ‘Covishield’, and a locally developed jab. The approval given to the latter has proved controversial, as it lacks efficacy data.
Impacts
- The government may explore a public-private partnership model for later phases of the vaccination programme in a bid to speed up delivery.
- Any health controversy associated with a COVID-19 vaccine could exacerbate public concerns about the inoculation programme.
- Delhi will continue to talk up its capacity to export vaccines to neighbouring countries as part of its ‘vaccine diplomacy’.