The big vaccine paradox that Indian statism has given us Empty ampules of the Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine are seen on a tray at the Dhaka Medical College vaccination centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 9, 2021. REUTERS (REUTERS)Premium Share Via Read Full Story The health ministry’s press conference in New Delhi on Monday was of such importance that it should have had higher TV ratings than the India-England Test match. With scarcely 9 million having received the first vaccine dose in the month since vaccinations began in India (population: 1.35 billion) speed is a necessity. Ignoring social-distancing rules, reporters crowded around health minister Harsh Vardhan. Vaccines, Vardhan declared, “cannot be brought into the open market yet… if some wrong product comes to the market, then who would be responsible for it?" How would the vaccination of people over 50 work? How would it be priced? “There is no clear-cut decision on this matter yet. The strategy for the next 270 million group is being deliberated by the expert group," said the health minister. According to a Business Standard report, “The committee of experts is yet to finalise the details of vaccinating those with co-morbidities, such as the diseases that will be covered."