Procurement Mechanism For Covid-19 Vaccination In India: A Comparative Study

Abstract

When we hear the word Covid, there is fear and uncertainty and with the chances of third wave, the only ray of hope is Covid Vaccination and strict Covid Protocols issued by Government of India (GoI). For every citizen it is crucial to understand that the mechanism of Procuring Covid Vaccination. The entire drive of vaccination in India can be divided into three phases. On 16th January, 2021 Phase-I was launched targeting to protect those sections of society who were more vulnerable to Covid, i.e., Health Care Workers and Front Line Workers. Phase-II was initiated from 1st March, 2021 and 1st April, 2021 which focused on protecting the next vulnerable, Phase-III launched on 1st May, 2021with the aim to reach larger mass, the policy was liberalized and was opened to private players to purchase the vaccination .The most difficult task in this entire pandemic must have been procurement of Covid Vaccination for each and every State. Since in India, there is no centralized Procurement Legislation, the process of procuring vaccination has been facing several challenges, viz-a-viz modus operandi, fair treatment to each State, chances of black marketing, and unavailability of sufficient human resources. In this research paper, the key highlights are methods and tools used by GoI and various States to procure Covid Vaccinations to its citizen and its comparison with the developed nations.