NEW DELHI – India yesterday opened its Covid-19 vaccination drive to all adults from next month, as the vast nation battles a record-breaking spike in infections that forced the capital into a week-long lockdown.
The looming lockdown sparked a crush at a major bus terminal here, with tens of thousands of migrant workers trying to flee the restrictions – fuelling fears they could spread the virus to their rural hometowns.
India, which currently limits shots to those over the age of 45, kicked off its inoculation programme in mid-January and has administered more than 123 million shots, so far.
But experts have called for a faster roll-out to combat the surge, which has placed a huge strain on the country’s already overstretched healthcare system.
Since the daily climb in caseload fell to below 9,000 in February, numbers have been skyrocketing, with a new record of 273,810 infections yesterday to take the total to 15.06 million, second only to the United States.
“In a meeting chaired by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, an important decision of allowing vaccination to everyone above the age of 18 from May 1 has been taken,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Vaccine makers will have to supply 50% of doses to the national government, and the other half to state governments and the open market.
“It’s about time! I think this should’ve been done much sooner,” Mumbai-based screenwriter Nisha Kalra, 28, said.
“Knowing we can get vaccinated has immediately reduced the stress, panic and horror of the last few weeks.”
“Tipping point” in Delhi
India has authorised the emergency use of several vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca’s jab, Indian firm Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Russia’s Sputnik V.
The vaccination announcement came after New Delhi -- the worst-hit city in India -- said it will impose a week-long lockdown from last night.
The megacity of 20 million people has struggled to contain its virus surge, with hospitals running out of beds and oxygen supplies low.
Delhi reported 23,686 fresh cases yesterday, with more than a quarter of those tested getting positive results.
“Delhi’s health system is at a tipping point. The Covid-19 situation is pretty critical,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The healthcare system is “under severe strain” and has “reached its limit”, he added.
He said businesses will be shut, and movement around the city limited to essential services.
The India Open badminton tournament scheduled for May 11-16 here is also postponed.
In the last seven days, India recorded more than 1.4 million cases – an increase of 64% on the previous week, according to data compiled by AFP.
Experts blame complacency about the virus. There is also growing concern that variants, including a “double mutant” version, are fuelling infections.
The surge has led Britain and Pakistan to impose curbs yesterday on travellers from India.
London said only British and Irish nationals are allowed to enter, while Pakistan said all arrivals are banned for two weeks. – AFP, April 20, 2021
