Prioritization of Beneficiaries for Covid-19 Vaccination

Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines emerged to be significantly effective in protecting against Covid-19. Their efficacy led to a disproportionate gap in demand and supply of vaccines, which mandated the need for staggered introduction of vaccines by prioritizing the vulnerable population to maximize the benefits of available vaccines. In India, this prioritization was done by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines across population groups that were prioritized based on risk factors and a focus on achieving public health goals. The rollout began with safeguarding healthcare and front-line workers who were involved in pandemic management. Subsequent phases addressed age, comorbidities, and physiological condition of beneficiaries while keeping a constant watch on vaccine availability, existing and emerging evidence, and the capacity of the healthcare system. With vigilance and integrity, the endeavour of prioritization achieved equitable access to vaccines while prioritizing those at highest risk.