New Delhi, (the states. news) India has voiced its
strong opposition to the idea of “Vaccine Passport” floated by a few
developed countries and said that it could prove to be “highly
discriminatory”.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan raised the issue at the G7
Health Ministers meeting hosted by Britain on Friday and expressed India’s
concern and opposition to the plan by some countries like the UK and Japan to
introduce “vaccine passports” to make it easier for people who have
been inoculated against COVID-19 to travel internationally.
Harsh Vardhan said at the current juncture of the Covid-19 pandemic when
vaccine coverage as a percentage of population in developing countries is still
low as compared to developed countries, such an initiative could prove to be
highly discriminatory.
The minister also emphasised the need for greater and equitable availability of
affordable, vaccines to combat the pandemic.
“In the present context of the pandemic, it is imperative to increase
production of COVID-19 Vaccines and ensure their equitable supply.
India, which manufactures nearly 60 per cent of all vaccines and holds rich
expertise is well suited to help the world augment capacity supply and
supply,” he said.
To deliver on the Sustainable Development Goal mantra of ‘Leave No One Behind’,
“we must act, move and grow together towards a healthier future!, the
minister said.
India was invited as guest nation at G7 summit this year.
Harsh Vardhan also expressed support for reforms at the World Health
Organization as well as a proposed pandemic treaty to ensure better
preparedness in future.
He also expressed India’s support for G7 initiative of One Health Intelligence
Research Hub to tackle present and future multifaceted health threats. (uni)
(media saheb.com)
India against ‘vaccine passport’, says it could be ‘highly discriminatory’
