Government-run hospitals still the mainstay of India vaccination drive

Government-run health facilities have administered over 70% of the more than 25 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in India’s immunisation drive so far, with private hospitals accounting for the remainder. Private hospitals were included in phase 2 of the vaccination drive that started earlier this month to inoculate citizens above 60 years and those with comorbidities between 45 and 59 years.

However, government-run facilities continue to be the mainstay of the drive in India. India has administered 25.7 million vaccine doses, as per health ministry statistics. These include 6.8 million doses given during phase 2. The data shows that 71.23% of the doses were administered in public health facilities and 28.77% in private health facilities.

While private hospitals can conduct vaccinations on all days, government health facilities are required to carry out vaccinations for a minimum of four days and a maximum of six days a week. Government hospitals also have the additional responsibility of other public immunisation initiatives.

“We have scaled up with the help of private hospitals. All private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat scheme, Central Government Health Scheme and state insurance schemes are allowed to participate in the drive,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan told reporters.

“In addition, in states like Odisha, Telangana, Delhi and Maharashtra, other private health facilities which are not covered in the three categories are also allowed.” Vaccinations in private hospitals were below the national average of about 30% in 1

7 states and Union Territories, including Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, which have high vaccination coverage statistics. The list includes Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Arunachal Pradesh, where government hospitals are conducting the entire vaccination drive.

The state-wise rate of private participation was Sikkim (7.81%), Tripura (7.82%), Himachal Pradesh (9.72%), Ladakh (9.85%), West Bengal (13.8%), Bihar (16.46%), Jharkhand (17.8%), Andhra Pradesh (18.54%), Rajasthan (18.81%), Assam (20.21%), Chhattisgarh (20.55%), Odisha (20.91%), Meghalaya (21.59%) and Gujarat (24.96%).