Thread by @vrsrini

Context on why Centre finally heeds #SupremeCourt (after being questioned over its irrational policy) & the Opposition on centralised procurement of the vaccines: No. of people with 2 doses as a % of population is just 3.3% (See live tracker in thehindu.com) (1/n)

The supply from the Centre to the States was around 24.6 crores and the utilisation was around 23.11 crores (including wastage) which is roughly 93.94% of supply. Essentially States used nearly all of the Centre's supply (2/n)

Several #States raised global tenders to get procure vaccines from abroad. So far (IIRC), not a single vaccine manufacturer abroad has agreed to sell to #States. (3/n)

#States like #TN, #Kerala (among others) began to procure vaccines from @SerumInstIndia & @BharatBiotech but at higher prices from those procured by #Centre, & what they have received so far is a pittance compared to demand (4/n)

India's pace of vaccination is among the slowest (and even among large nations). As this chart shows from @OurWorldInData. (5/n)

While its 2nd wave has definitely waned, India continues to register the highest no. of #COVID19 cases & deaths worldwide. See: thehindu.com/coronavirus/wo…. In terms of recorded deaths, India has the 3rd highest death toll & it is widely understood to be an undercount. (6/n)

There has been no recent serosurvey to estimate the % of population who have been infected & vaccinations, IIRC. As has been shown in several countries - the UK in particular, vaccinations are the best way to minimise fatalities & to prevent a possible third wave (7/n)

This is the reason why epidemiologists/doctors/virologists have been questioning the #Centre's myopic vaccine policy. For e.g. here - thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/… (8/n)

And which is why our editorial in @the_hindu said this - "The Centre must act as procurer and allotter of #vaccines, and leave distribution to States " - thehindu.com/opinion/editor… (9/n)

Here's hoping that a government that has faltered and botched up our response to the pandemic, will finally speed up procurement and supply of #vaccines so that Indians can go about their lives without debilitating lockdowns & sickness due to #COVID19. (10/10)

highest no. of *daily* cases & deaths. (correction)