Chetan Bhagat hits out at Modi govt over vaccine shortage; says 'save nationalism for Independence Day'

Even as several states in the country are facing vaccine shortage, author Chetan Bhagat took to Twitter to question Narendra Modi-led Centre over India's failure to avail Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Sharing a news report of Pfizer withdrawing application for emergency use  of its coronavirus vaccine shots in India, the author said, "News of Pfizer withdrawing its application to get its vaccine approved in India in Feb-2021. A life-saving vaccine, we just let this happen."

Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical firm to seek an emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain. However, in February, it said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its vaccine in India. 

Pointing out that Pfizer and Moderna are the best vaccines, he said, "They (the vaccines) have been out since Dec-2020. Why don't we have them in India yet? Do we not deserve the best? Don't we buy defense equipment from abroad? Is this not a war like situation? Why does the vaccine have to be made here and only here?"

He said India needs global help right now to get the vaccines and added that "The person who needs the help cannot have ego.  Ego never served anyone anyway, but if we keep ego or fake pride now, when we need help, we won't succeed.  Heads down, get to work, source and administer the vaccines."

"Solution is in sourcing and administering billions of doses of the vaccine. We should have a clear idea and targets on how many people will be vaccinated and by when. Just anecdotal stories of efforts being done, while commendable, is not enough," he said in another tweet.

"The airplanes we fly in, mobile phones we type tweets on, the medical equipment we use, the weapons that protect us at the border - are made abroad," he said, and added that while Indian vaccines may be good if we do not have enough supply, we have to get vaccines from abroad.

"The point is not Indian vs foreign vaccines. The point is enough vaccines and enough supply. And for that we need them from all over right now. Save the nationalism for Independence Day. Right now let's save lives at any cost. Please."

In another twee, he said, some ask why couldn't  Pfizer agree to our terms, and added, "Well, we needed Pfizer's vaccine more than they needed us. We could have saved lives if we kept our ego down and said 'how can we make it work Pfizer' rather than 'why can't you listen to us.' Lives could have been saved."

Pfizer in its application submitted to the drug regulator in December 2020, had sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in India, besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019

"In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time," the pharma major had said, while withdrawing the application.

— With PTI Inputs