Over 500 prominent citizens write to PM regarding COVID-19 vaccines
Over 500 prominent public health practitioners, doctors, economists, workers unions, and human rights groups have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines reach the vulnerable and ramping up manufacturing to address shortages. The letter signed by organizations from 22 states and union territories has urged Modi to "remove barriers" to vaccine production.
Remove barriers to vaccine production: Citizens to PM
They urged Modi to remove the barriers to vaccine production through modes like a waiver of intellectual property rights to achieve universal coverage. "We call on you to take action to ensure a peoples' vaccine," the letter said.
Vaccine should be purchased at true cost prices: Citizens
"For this to happen, a detailed, time-bound, and transparent COVID-19 vaccine policy and action plan should be arrived at in consultation with the states and India's experts and citizens at large and ensure transparency in contractual agreements reached by the government with the pharma sector," the letter said. They urged the government to ensure that the vaccine is purchased at true cost prices.
'Vaccines should be free; should reach the vulnerable'
They also urged the government to ensure vaccines are provided free of charge to all, its fair allocation which prioritizes at-risk groups is sensitive to the existence of the digital divide and is able to reach the vulnerable where they are.
'Ensure states are not pitted against each other'
They also asked for large-scale vaccine procurement by the Central government at regulated prices which do not cripple the finances of India's states or pit them against each other in the quest for scarce lifesaving vaccines. "Immediately enhance financial outlays to public health and do what it takes to make the above happen through all possible steps," the letter said.
'Ramp-up health system to be prepared for the next wave'
"The possible steps include compulsory licensing of vaccines, ramping up public sector vaccine manufacturing capacity, and strengthening the public health system to be better prepared for the potential next wave of COVID-19," they said. The organizations that signed the letter included Oxfam and Forum for Medical Ethics Society while economists Jean Dreze and Jayati Ghosh were among the citizens who made the appeal.
