New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with The Daily Guardian, Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health) at NITI Aayog and the head of the National Expert Group for Vaccine Administration, spoke about the availability of vaccines in India and the Co-Win platform, which has been developed to aid the vaccination drive in the country. Excerpts:
Q. When will India get a coronavirus vaccine?
A. India is lucky to have so many drug-maker companies. Whenever we have a vaccine, India will prove to be the strongest country to finish Covid-19. Our vaccine industry is very strong in the development and production of vaccines. India’s vaccines are used in low and middle income countries, which is about 60 percent in the world.
We may get those vaccines that are developed by other countries also. We have three companies which have applied for emergency licensure, amongst which, two are from India and one is from another country. The Indian companies which have applied for emergency authorisation are Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech, and the other is Pfizer, which is from the US. Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is reviewing their data.
We have two more companies and both of them are capable of doing mass production of vaccines. We have reached the doorstep of getting a vaccine.
Q. How much time does it take to get emergency licensure?
A. This is a scientific process. We can’t put pressure on drug regulators. It is done on the basis of in-depth study and clinical trials based on animals and humans done by companies. It is important to see immunological and safety data thoroughly as well. Drug regulators are working continuously and the results will be out soon. They have a committee that has a team of scientists, researchers, and clinicians. They take decisions after reviewing all the data. So, we shouldn’t be in a hurry about their decisions because they are doing their duty and, soon after that, results will be announced.
Q. Pfizer has also applied for the emergency authorisation. But they have already booked their vaccine stock. How much stock do you think India will be able to get from Pfizer?
A. We don’t have much information regarding the stock. They have already booked their maximum doses but the Government of India and DCGI will definitely ask them about their stock. They have also applied for emergency authorisation that all drug controllers will review on the basis of global norms.
Q. How will the Co-Win app work?
A. This is not only an app, but an extensive IT platform, with one part as the app. It will be useful for many purposes. The Co-Win platform has a mobile application that can be downloaded for vaccination and delivery. The mobile app will record all the data related to the vaccine and facilitate remote real-time monitoring of vaccines. It will also facilitate the verification of beneficiaries and update the status of vaccination and the status of the beneficiaries. The platform is state of the art and of high quality with an extensive reach that will increase the process of vaccination. Other countries can also use this app for their vaccination programmes.
Q. Are we fully prepared for vaccination?
A. We have been working on this for so many months and, as of now, we are fully and systematically prepared. The Co-Win app is one part of that preparedness. We have enough cold chain capacity but we are still increasing it. We are ‘aatmanirbhar’ on various platforms, we have a sufficient number of syringes that will be used for vaccination, and we have completed the enrollment data of health workers from government and private hospitals. Now, we are moving towards rollout. We are also working together with the states for successful vaccination in the country.
Q. What message would you like to give before vaccinations begin?
A. We need to take all precautions till the time the infection ends, till the time everyone gets vaccination done and also after the vaccination, to end Covid-19 in India. You all should wear masks properly, maintain social distancing, take Ayurvedic immunity boosters, test timely for the virus so it does not spread amongst others and, lastly, quarantine yourself immediately if you come in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.