ABSTRACT
So far historians define the world in terms of time period as either BC (Before Christ) or as AD (After Death of Christ). The current generations and the ones to come may define the time period as BC (Before Covid) or as AC (After Covid). So much rain has been shed over the past two years turning the livelihood of millions. The impact of Covid over our globe has been nothing short of an Armageddon. The focus intended in this article is the possible solution both temporary and permanent on how we can resolve the Covid crisis in India? The article would address on number of factors including the Covid vaccine demand that is currently prevailing in this country, the current supply that could match its demand, number of vaccine players who are involved both in approval and in clinical trial process, how to increase the Covid vaccine count?, Issues faced by vaccine manufacturers both internally and internationally, the current healthcare setup and social distribution model, Covid registration process and the issues that needs attention, Covid vaccine drive and the methods used in bringing the people on board, addressing front line warriors who are fighting this war, and finally the role of supreme court in regulating the administration and monitoring the Covid vaccine drive. India needs to show to the world that we care for the mankind with our law prevailing upon every citizen of this country to share in equality what we all deserve “Equal Justice for All”.
Keywords:impact of Covid, regulate Covid, vaccine
I. INTRODUCTION
So far historians define the world in terms of time period as either BC (Before Christ) or AD (After Death of Christ).The current generations and the ones to come may define the time period as BC (Before Covid) or AC (After Covid).
So much rain has been shed over the past two yearsturning the livelihood of millions.The impact of Covid over our globe has been nothing short of an Armageddon.This is of course a pandemic. In this paper let us not get into the details of origin of Covid which would be a trace in darkness. Let us shed some lights on the prevailing trail of tunnel which would see some lights at the end.
The Covid, as commonly agreed to have emerged in 2019 as the name says Covid-19,has gone through many permutations and combination as it has crossed many legal boundaries and human chains.
The mutated one from India being called as “Delta” by World Health Organization (WHO)will have its wings flying as it spreads across our sub-continent. Do we have a strategy to curtail these wings?The answer is “No” at this juncture.We cannot curtail its wings, rather we can “Regulate Covid Wings By Court”.What do we mean by “Regulate Covid Wings By Court”? A supreme court monitored administration that would oversee the mission.
II. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Let us discuss the possible solutions here.
The currenttemporary solutions are:Lockdown, Masking, Sanitizing and Social Distancing.
The permanent solution would be the new found vaccinations. Every country is racing to find its own vaccination. Like the multiple mutations there would be multiple vaccines.We are running short of time to figure out which vaccine is the best. Only time will tell.
For a country of more than one billion, how are we going to implement this mammoth task? Our democratic formation has got both federal and state set up to govern. This would make things shaky at times especially when there is a difference in demand and supply.Here is where the legal department comes into play at a very crucial time.For the sake of mankind let us put down our differences and start thinking with humanity. The final goal is to save our precious lives. In order to do so the tool what we have todayis the vaccines.
III. DEMAND AND SUPPLY
As we said earlier there is a gap between the demand and the supply. How are we going to bridge the gap?
The current population of India is 1,392,457,088 as of Thursday, June 3, 2021, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data [1]. Of which 35% urban and 65% rural. As per 2011 census 41% of the population are of vibrant youth with less than 18 years of age. These numbers easily puts 800 to 900 million people who are above 18 years eligible for vaccination. Assuming two doses per person makes it 1.6 to 1.8 billion of doses plus wastages due to various reasons could roughly make it 2 billion doses. A whooping number.
IV. VACCINE PLAYERS
Of the eight vaccines currently under production in India so far [2], only three have been approved for use – another two are in the early stages of clinical trials, and a further three are in late-stage trials. For now forget about the trials. That can’t be risked. We need to focus on the ones under production and needs to see the possibilities of scale up.
The two premier players as of now, The Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech has said they could produce about 100 million and 80 million doses per month. This number if produced in its full capacity is way less than our target of 2 billion doses, which means the vaccination drive would take around one year to complete for all eligible 18+ candidates. We need to consider vaccines for the younger ones less than 18 years whenever the vaccine is ready for them. We should be in a position to go through the similar vaccine drive for them too. So we should complete our first drive as early as possible. We will be better equipped for our second drive.
V. HOW TO INCREAS VACCINE COUNT?
To increase the vaccine numbers, here are the possible scenarios.
- Increase the existing production line
- Fasten the approval process which are in clinical trials
- Other than two premium players encourage new players like Reddy Labs, Genesys, Zydus Cadila, Biological Eetc.,
- Import vaccines from other leading manufacturing nations apart from the Indian manufacturers like Sputnik V, Pfizer, Modena, Johnson & Johnson etc.,
VI. ISSUES FACED BY MANUFACTURERS
We can address the different issues here relating to Indian and overseas manufacturers.While dealing with Indian manufacturers there is an issue with the raw materials availability.
- It is the role of union government and its external affairs ministry to persuade raw material producing nations to cooperate, accept and ease the import process.
- Once the flow of raw materials are sorted out then we can identify the methods to increase the production line
- New or any unused existing vaccine manufacturing plant can be identified for production
- Agreements and Contracts can be made with vaccine manufacturing companies and the new manufacturing plants identified for production
While dealing with overseas manufacturers the patent waiver [3]for COVID-19 vaccines makes a way for direct/partnership firms to manufacture vaccine in India minimizing the logistics and legal implications.
VII. DISTRIBUTION MODEL
So far we have addressed the production system. Next we need to look at our distribution model.With 29 states, 7 union territories, and 718 districts India have to administer the distribution of vaccines through channels which are of healthcare and social welfare nature. The healthcare and social welfare numbers are good at some states while some states lack the infrastructures. In those states some temporary or make shift arrangements can be made.
The public and private sectors have to collaborate to make this happen. While identifying the multiple centres for vaccination, we can minimize the human queues. The centres can be public or private hospitals, the primary health care centres, the social welfare centres and institutional centres. Even sports arena and community centres can be utilised for this purpose for a specified period of time.
VIII. REGISTRATION PROCESS
The Cowin registration process developed for vaccination is a challenge for rural population. They need a dependency on someone who is knowledgeable to register online, the internet connections and the speed involved. Even the urban finds it difficult to book or identify the appropriate centre with possible dates.The available centre, the dates and the type of vaccines are not in synch making the registration to fail often. This registration and booking model needs a second look. The walk-in should be encouraged for a spot booking while following the social distance, mask, sanitizing rules. Here the records can be maintained, Everyday uploaded on a day today basis. Vaccination done and the certificate can be downloaded later may be the next day. Thus making a win-win situation.
IX. VACCINE DRIVE
The vaccination drive should be of people’s movement. The awareness for vaccination created by government, entertainment and social media is very critical.The government is doing its best in creating the awareness.The student’s community, the professionals, and labours have to share the importance of vaccination at every possible forum and network.Every individual have to be the spokesperson for this drive.
X. FRONT LINE WARRIORS
The so called “front line warriors” in this war against covid needs to be given utmost care and respect. They are the ones who are going to implement this vaccine drive. The team of doctors, nurses, healthcare officials including door to door check-ups, sanitary workers, and police personal should be given a duty on a rotational basis. Volunteers and contractors can be utilised at various levels depending upon their skill set to ease the front line workers. This would enable them to keep their mind and body intact.
XI. ROLE OF SUPREME COURT
Even though the production, procurement, logistics and distribution all falls under the union and state administration, there can be multiple committee formed by the Supreme Court of India at various levels with expertise to recommend and monitor this drive called “Regulate Covid Wings By Court”. This can be a hybrid of government, private, social and legal sectors, which would enable a possible quick solution and release any potential bottlenecks if found.
This is a very rare special case where the Supreme Court of India needs to step in. Any disputes among its players either internally (state Vs union) or internationally (among countries) can be resolved very quickly. The uniformity in approach can be maintained among states.
XII. CONCLUSION
The ultimate objective is to make sure every human life is very precious. Our globe is at the cross-roads looking for directions.With nearly 18% of world population, India needs to show to the world that we care for the mankind with our law prevailing upon every citizen of this country to share in equality what we all deserve “Equal Justice for All”.
[1] https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/india-population/
[2] Report from bbc.com news agency
[3] https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/trips_report_e.pdf
