Increasing production locally is what Modi wants to do. His government and he are both aware how this is not possible in the short term. Yet just like how demonetisation or national level lock down was implemented with the wave of a hand, impacting crores of migrants, this too shall be brushed under the carpet as a "natural events that occurs in every pandemic".
I am not trying to politicize this but this is the truth I think people should realize. The government knows. The government won't act however because they want India and the companies handling this vaccine rollout to boost their capacity. Cos covid isn't finishing tomorrow. People will die; it's unfortunate. But having the capacity to produce vaccines that can be stored safely at just 4-6°C (ordinary consumer fridge level) will be the defining factor to make profits later this year and the next few years. Because every developing country wants to get their hands on this vaccine. Not just this year. But for years to come, with newer variants and newer booster shots.. It's easy to make booster shots on the newer variants. It's difficult to build capacity.
So it's a moral dilemma VS economic decision. I think the government, just like all its prior decisions, is choosing economic.
I am not trying to politicize this but this is the truth I think people should realize. The government knows. The government won't act however because they want India and the companies handling this vaccine rollout to boost their capacity. Cos covid isn't finishing tomorrow. People will die; it's unfortunate. But having the capacity to produce vaccines that can be stored safely at just 4-6°C (ordinary consumer fridge level) will be the defining factor to make profits later this year and the next few years. Because every developing country wants to get their hands on this vaccine. Not just this year. But for years to come, with newer variants and newer booster shots.. It's easy to make booster shots on the newer variants. It's difficult to build capacity.
So it's a moral dilemma VS economic decision. I think the government, just like all its prior decisions, is choosing economic.