Time to boost vaccination drive with ample stock

This picture has been used for representational purpose

At a time when we should be pressing the gas pedal on vaccination, we have seen a stop-start-stutter effort when it comes to the jab of late.

A shortage of vaccines across the city has become a serious problem, since public centres started inoculating the 18 to 44 age group.

The state government had stopped free vaccination for the 18-to-44-year age group, some days after May 1, after giving a green signal amidst insufficient stock that was being supplied by the Centre.

It is disappointing to see public centres closed and banners that no vaccines are available. Supply has to be streamlined so that people of all age groups are at these centres to be vaccinated.

We often see that people who are turned away from centres on a certain day do not tend to return quickly. They feel they will be turned away again for the same reason and it will be a waste of effort and time to go to the vaccination centre repeatedly. While they may eventually find the jab at the venue, there is a possibility that they turn up waiting too long or waste several days till they try again.

The stop-stutter drive is hugely counterproductive. It is as if the city is on tenterhooks, the mad fastest finger first to get a vaccine slot, the absolute edge about whether one will get the shot or not, the despair and desperation… surely it should not be this difficult for the citizens to get the shot.

A smoother supply chain with stocks available all through will repose the confidence of the public in the vaccination effort. While one should not doubt the efficacy of the vaccines, the process to get it should be such that people do not start doubting the system. We do not need skepticism right now, but solid faith.