[Marxistindia] On New Vaccine Policy

[news from the cpi(m)]

June 08, 2021

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued  
the following statement:


Withdraw 25 Per Cent Vaccines for Private Sector
Launch Free, Universal, Mass Vaccination Drive


The Modi Government has been forced to withdraw its faulty and  
disastrous “liberalized vaccine policy” in the face of strong  
opposition, pushback from States and Supreme Court’s criticism of it.   
It has had to accept the demand for free vaccines for all citizens.

People will reject the condemnable effort by the Prime Minister,  
through his national broadcast, to level false charges against State  
Governments and shift the responsibility to them. The “liberalised  
vaccine policy” was a unilateral decision of the central government.

However, the failed vaccine policy has not been fully reversed. The  
Government has, chosen to continue the dual pricing policy. As much as  
25 per cent of vaccine production is still reserved for the private  
sector. This is nothing but a license for loot by private  
manufacturers to make super profits. Further, at a time of acute  
vaccine shortage, the continuation of such a policy will dilute and  
weaken the need for universal vaccination essential to prevent a third  
wave of the Corona virus. Only the rich can afford the exorbitant  
pricing of vaccines for the private hospitals permitted by the  
Government.

The CPI(M) demands the withdrawal of the 25 per cent reservation for  
the private sector. The Central Government must procure all the  
vaccines manufactured in India and bought globally and distribute it  
to States in consultation with them.




For CPI(M) Central Committee Office