When the pandemic started, nations and international communities (together with the World Health Organization) responded to the unprecedented disaster with their finest judgment. However, with 20-20 hindsight, a number of evident gaps seem, particularly inequities in entry, be it medicines or later, vaccines.

First, prevention. Preventing a pandemic is unlikely, however because the Covid-19 story has proven, efficient vaccines can scale back deaths. However, a pandemic-causing pathogen might not essentially lend itself to a vaccine. While on the one hand, we had a number of vaccines that proved efficient in opposition to Covid, on the opposite, we’re nonetheless struggling to develop an efficient, scalable vaccine for say, HIV. In this regard, India’s story can be inspirational for the G20 grouping. In the race to develop, manufacture and roll out Covid-19 vaccines, India’s narrative of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and Atma Vishwas (self-confidence) labored wonders.

India’s scientific journey for the event of the Covid-19 vaccine began on March 11, 2020, when the National Institute of Virology remoted the Sars-CoV-2 virus. This virus was shared with Bharat Biotech to create a vaccine candidate. In eight months, an inactivated virion vaccine (Covaxin) acquired emergency-use authorisation (EUA) on January 3, 2021. The similar day, Covishield, an adeno-vectoral vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured at scale by the Serum Institute of India, was additionally granted EUA. The world’s largest vaccination programme, which started on January 16, 2021, was powered by these two vaccines.

India additionally developed different vaccines. The first-ever DNA vaccine (Zycov-D) was developed after a scientific trial on 28,000 topics. Additionally, a protein subunit vaccine (Corbevax), a thermo-stable mRNA vaccine (Gemcovac), and an intranasal adeno-vectoral vaccine (iNCOVACC) have been developed. India additionally manufactured the Sputnik-V vaccine of Russian origin, and Novovax of American origin.

And so, immediately, India’s vaccine pockets has as many as 10 made-in-India vaccines. Similarly, India’s vaccine bouquet has a variety of platforms, encompassing inactivated virion, adeno-vectoral, protein sub-unit, DNA, mRNA and nanoparticle applied sciences — one other distinctive distinction. Our present capability to fabricate Covid-19 vaccines exceeds 5 billion doses each year.

India’s vaccine improvement was supported by authorities funds and establishments. Under Mission Covid Suraksha, beneficiant analysis and improvement (R&D) funds have been superior for as many as 5 vaccines.

More than 2.2 billion doses have been administered within the nation. A staggering 98% of India’s inhabitants, within the age group of 12 and older, has been administered one dose, and 92% has acquired two doses. Vaccines have reached each nook of India through vehicles, jeeps, bikes, plane, boats, camels, drones, and on foot.

India’s public well being system re-engineered itself for this mammoth mission, with 97% of vaccines having been administered at no cost by way of the federal government well being system. Private-sector vaccine supply accounted for lower than 3% of the entire vaccines administered, and at one level, over 100,000 vaccine centres have been operational. On September 17, 2021, a file 25.1 million doses have been administered in a single day. Because of mass consciousness drives, India overcame early-stage vaccine hesitancy and other people slowly received on board.

Technology additionally performed an enormous function in entry, by way of its on-line portal, CoWIN, which traced, administered, and confirmed vaccinations. India used digital infrastructure to create and help vaccination entry, amenities, and analyse knowledge. CoWIN is now being programmed for use in routine immunisation programmes and for blood and organ donation programs.

The authorities (on the central and state stage), scientists and trade fashioned Team India. Above all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led from the entrance and inspired the scientists and trade by even going so far as to go to vaccine manufacturing items.

A examine revealed in Lancet reported that India’s vaccination programme between January 2020 to December 2021 might have averted 3.4 million deaths. ICMR knowledge exhibits that Indian vaccines have been over 99% efficient in stopping mortality.

India provided greater than 250 million doses of vaccine to over 100 nations as a part of the Vaccine Maitri initiative within the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one household).

India’s vaccine story is a outstanding inspiration for the G20 agenda in shaping the outcomes of every considered one of its three well being tracks: One, well being emergencies prevention, preparedness and response, with a give attention to one well being and antimicrobial resistance. Two, strengthening cooperation within the pharmaceutical sector with a give attention to availability and entry to protected, efficient, high-quality and reasonably priced medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics). And three, digital well being improvements and options to help common well being protection and enhance service supply.

The pandemic has taught us that none of us are protected till all of us are protected. As the G20 deliberates upon its motion paths in well being, India seems to be ahead to sharing its expertise of turning a serious well being disaster right into a window to new horizons.

This will assist the world of immediately struggle the challenges of tomorrow.

Dr VK Paul is a member of NITI Aayog

The views expressed are private