Money9 Edit | The urgent need to expand the ambit of frontline workers

The government has stopped the registration of healthcare workers for the covid vaccine on complaints that ineligible beneficiaries are faking identities to get the shot. The states had given their inputs on the healthcare workers and there has been an almost 25% increase in numbers in the past few weeks which led to doubts over their identities.

This is a welcome step to stop beneficiaries from jumping the line. But the government should also consider bank staff, delivery boys, media personnel, the milk booth person, the kirana store owners, vegetable vendors, etc, who have been working throughout the lockdown to keep the wheels of the economy moving and maybe under the age of 45, as frontline workers and accord them priority in getting shots. This will help also cover a wider population for vaccination.

In continuation, the government should advise hospitals to make use of the permission to inoculate 24×7 so that the speed can be increased and more people are covered. As of now, most healthcare centres undertake vaccination only during day time. There is also an urgent need to increase the supply of vaccines. There have been reports of people taking appointments and later getting a message that the same has been cancelled. This round of vaccination could prove to be a game-changer as it will cover the most number of people.

A timely jab for all of them will ensure that the cases don’t rise at the rate which is being currently witnessed. We need to stop the spread and avoid another round of lockdown. That will be best for the people, economy and country as a whole.