CII sees greater role for Industry in vaccine rollout

New Delhi: India Inc could play a significant role in the massive anti-Covid inoculation drive, industry body CII said on Thursday. "Industry can supplement and contribute to the Government's programme with appropriate checks and balances, throughout the envisaged three phases, so as to further reach out the vaccine to those sections of the population who can contribute to the economic revival of the country," TV Narendran, President-Designate and Chairman of CII's Vaccine Task Force, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Accordingly, to action the effective roll-out of the vaccines, CII has constituted a High-Level Taskforce on Covid-19 Vaccines with the objective of galvanising industry support for distribution and inoculation of the employees of member companies and also in the larger community where members have a role to play through CSR interventions.

Besides, the industry body has taken cognisance of the fact that the second phase of inoculating those over 50 years will be a particularly challenging task, with requirements for significantly increased vaccinating sites and vaccinators.

"Consider industry participation in ramping up the vaccination programme. It is suggested that for ensuring faster rollout and for providing confidence to workers at the workplace, business enterprises could be permitted to vaccinate their employees and immediate family members," the statement said.

"Enterprises could also assist in the vaccine rollout for surrounding communities on a CSR basis as well."

It is estimated that such a programme could benefit an additional 100 million workers in the formal sector and local communities by providing access to the vaccine. "While contributing to the Government's programme, Industry would fully comply with all the guidelines instituted by the Government," CII suggested that private providers, with appropriate checks and balances, be allowed to vaccinate and support the government to both utilise the available vaccines as well as amplify the number of vaccinations with all necessary norms and compliances.