Is India’s Budget Bad News For COVID-19 Boosters, New Vaccines?

Over 75% Of Adults Fully Vaccinated

India’s 2022-23 budget cuts the outlay for COVID-19 vaccines to a seventh the previous amount. Is that worrying or does it leave the door open for private sales of vaccines? With over 75% of the country's adult population now fully vaccinated, what does it mean for booster shots and yet to be approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines?

India COVID-19 Vaccination Concept
India cuts budget for coronavirus vaccines • Source: Alamy

India’s FY2022-23 budget has cut the allocation for COVID-19 vaccines by 86% to INR50bn ($669m) from INR350bn in the previous budget.

The central government’s reasoning seems to be that with over 75% of the adult population now fully vaccinated and over 90% having received a single dose, the funds required for the COVID-19

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