It's been a month since India rolled out Phase 3 of the COVID vaccination strategy.

The announcement to start vaccinating citizens between 18-44 years of age from 1 May, along with senior citizens and health workers and those with co-morbidities had come at a very crucial time in April, when India's COVID-19 cases were spiking by close to 4 lakh cases on some days. That made it imperative to vaccinate as many people as possible.

Yet, our vaccination process has been marred with contentious decisions that have slowed down the process significantly in Phase 3. From announcing a vaccination drive without procuring enough vaccine doses, to practicing "vaccine diplomacy" even in the middle of the second wave, to shifting the burden of Phase 3 vaccination on the already-burdened states — now we're looking at an acute shortage of vaccine doses in the country that are forcing states to halt vaccine drives.

But why did we arrive at this point? Why did the government open up vaccinations for all citizens above 18, if we didn't have enough doses? And how is that decision impacting the Phase 3 vaccine drive? Tune in!

Producer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha Guests: Dr Anant Bhan, Public Health Expert and Adjunct Professor & Researcher in Bioethics at Mangaluru’s Yenepoya University Kapil Sibal, Former Union Minister and Senior Congress Leader

Editor: Shelly Walia

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

References: India exported millions of vaccine doses during its own Covid emergency

National Co-Win Statistics Cumulative Covid Vaccination Coverage Report 31st May 2021

Covid-19: Cost of vaccinating the 18-44 population

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