Why vaccination is not open for all in India? Centre answers

New Delhi : Since India is dealing with the second wave of coronavirus infection with even more number of single-day cases it marked during the first phase, the states have been asking the Central government to allow vaccination for all. The government has revealed why they are not allowing vaccination for all.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan addressed the press on Tuesday; he said that the aim of the government is to inoculate the ones who need it, not the ones who want it.

"Many people have raised questions on government why the government is not allowing vaccination for all age groups. There are two aims behind this decision – to prevent deaths and also save the healthcare system.

"The prime aim of the government is to make vaccine available to the ones who need it, instead to the ones who want it," he said during the presser.

Niti Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul also spoken on the matter and said none of the researcher has so far claimed that mass vaccination can bring herd immunity.

"What we know so far is that all vaccines that are being used, including the two being used in India, reduce mortality, severity of the disease, protect lives and keeping that in mind priority groups have been decided," Dr Paul said.

The priority groups in India have been decided on the basis of vulnerability.

Recently, IMA had written to Prime Minister to allow vaccination for all residents of India. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray had also requested the Centre to allow vaccine for all age groups.

Meanwhile, India vaccinated 48 lakh people on Tuesday, highest in a single day.