We, in India, may soon get the nod from the Centre for the use of a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine after three pharmaceutical giants viz Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca announced their plans to make the vaccine available by January-February 2021. While the Centre is yet to approve and finalise the modalities for the procurement of vaccine doses. Oxford has offered a 50 per cent cut in prices, even though the vaccine is only 70 per cent effective. The effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine is 95 per cent. Secondly, it is hoped that the issue of vaccine choice and procurement sails through smoothly without being politicised and stuck in red tape, which is often the case when important issues such as these are to be taken at the national level for the benefit of the people without the customary kickbacks.
