Vaccine strategy

Reference the article, “Disenfranchised should also get the vaccine first” (Nov. 13, Gulf Today). All countries need to prepare blueprints to inoculate their citizens within 3-months of the vaccine being available abundantly. This 3-month programme should be personally led by the President or the Prime Minister. His role should be that of a CEO.

The President should establish a “COVID-19 War Room”, which will constitute a central control, with real time information on the number of inoculations being flashed. The exact number of doses a country needs, by region, city and village, should be established. There has to be a daily target of the number of inoculations.

Senior ministers of the cabinet should be assigned specific regions to monitor. They should ideally, shift their bases to these regions.

The major challenge will be to source the requisite quantities of the vaccine at an affordable price. The US and European countries have already booked vaccines with companies like Pfizer. Developing countries in South Asia and Africa have yet to book firm orders.

The Pfizer vaccine costs $40 per dose of two jabs. India’s budget of $7 billon for the vaccines, implies a cost of $7 per dose, for inoculating a billion people. So, lower and middle-income countries have to wait for inexpensive vaccines from the Serum Institute in India. It is working on vaccines with a target price of $3 per dose.

The Novavax vaccine will be available to 92 countries and AstraZeneca’s vaccine will be available to 57 Gavi-eligible countries. The Serum Institute is being assisted financially by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The health ministries or authorities should have the responsibility for executing the 3-month mass inoculation plan.

Rajendra Aneja
Mumbai, India