COVID-19 management: The vaccination drive in India

OBJECTIVE: We undertook the study to present a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 related measures, largely centred around the development of vaccination related policies, their implementation and challenges faced in the vaccination drive in India. METHODS: A targeted review of literature was conducted to collect relevant data from official government documents, national as well as international databases, media reports and published research articles. The data were summarized to assess Indian government's vaccination campaign and its outcomes as a response to COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The five-point strategy adopted by government of India was “COVID appropriate behaviour, test, track, treat and vaccinate”. With respect to vaccination, there have been periodic shifts in the policies in terms of eligible beneficiaries, procurement, and distribution plans, import and export strategy, involvement of private sector and use of technology. The government utilized technology for facilitating vaccination for the beneficiaries and monitoring vaccination coverage. CONCLUSION: The monopoly of central government in vaccine procurement resulted in bulk orders at low price rates. However, the implementation of liberalized policy led to differential pricing and delayed achievement of set targets. The population preference for free vaccines and low profit margins for the private sector due to price caps resulted in a limited contribution of the dominant private health sector of the country. A wavering pattern was observed in the vaccination coverage, which was related majorly to vaccine availability and hesitancy. The campaign will require consistent monitoring for timely identification of bottlenecks for the lifesaving initiative.