The Vaccine Utsav – a new celebration amidst misery

Those of us who saw our country going through some bizarre moments while fighting COVID-19 last year, could never have expected a repeat of the farce. Readers will remember this time of the year, 12 months ago when people were asked to bang empty thalis, clap and blow conches to drive away the virus. The AYUSH ministry pushed some untested immunity building drugs, Patanjali launched Coronil claiming it was WHO approved. However, all this pales in comparison with the latest – the Tika Utsav or the Vaccine Festival, where the hon’ble PM has asked all states to celebrate four days of vaccination.

People are being encouraged to get themselves vaccinated during this week, especially because of two national holidays that fall come on Tuesday and Wednesday However, what is strange is the name – we are calling something as harrowing as a vaccination festival. What is even more ironic is that this festival is coming at a point when there are major stockouts of vaccines across the country. The PM’s campaign will increase demand, but we have a serious supply problem now. Most states are worried their limited stocks will run out and the centre is unable to procure fresh supplies.

This week, the number of COVID-19 cases crossed 1.5 lakh a day-mark for the first time; and we must now get worried. Not only do we have more daily cases than ever, but we also find the virus moving to states that were spared last year during the first wave. The increase in cases in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is ominous, and if this trend continues, we have a battle on our hands in tackling the pandemic in areas that suffer from extremely poor health infrastructure.

Read more: https://www.siasat.com/the-vaccine-utsav-a-new-celebration-amidst-misery-2123213/