In a crucial meeting, healthcare and industry federations representing the ecosystem of private sector deliberated on a set of immediate recommendations for submission to the government for effectively executing the liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 National Vaccination Strategy from May 1, 2021.

These recommendations are aligned with the main elements of the Phase 3 strategy –procurement and administration of vaccines being made flexible - all stakeholders being given the freedom to customise to local needs and dynamics; incentivising manufacturers to scale-up production and invite new national and international players; and manufacturers empowered to release vaccines in the open market at a pre-declared price and states authorised to purchase from private players.

Some of the key recommendations in this meeting: 

• The federations recommend that the private sector in India will pool their demand for effective flexible procurement to ensure high quality and uninterrupted access of lifesaving vaccines. Private sector can assess emerging requirements from healthcare, telecom, retail, information technology, consumer, and other industry segments through rapid assessment. Private sector will also explore PPP’s to share the national responsibility with central and state governments.
• Private sector will work collaboratively to tide over supply side challenges and join hands with government to scale up last mile delivery of vaccines, pandemic surveillance and hospitalisation care.
• The private sector will prioritise the rapid clinical trials for other critical, life-saving drugs, inhalers and therapies which are showing promising results for use in the treatment of COVID-19, apart from vaccines.
• As an immediate short-term measure, as private healthcare sector reorganises its supply chains, there is an urgent need for central and state governments to ensure continuity of supplies for the next 30-60 days, especially for existing eligible population and those eligible for second vaccination. The government is also requested to ensure that there is consistency in vaccine administration guidelines across states through standard operating guidelines for engagement with the private sector. 

Dr Harsh Mahajan, President NATHEALTH, commented, “Cross country collaborations between federations and government will enable India to deal with the current challenges and help in building a robust healthcare ecosystem.”