New Delhi: India on Saturday expressed serious displeasure and strong opposition to the Coronavirus “vaccine passport” suggestion at the G7 meeting of health ministers. Calling it ‘highly discriminatory’, Union Health Minister Harsha Vardhan said it will be disadvantageous for people living in developing countries. "Vaccine passports will be disadvantageous for people of the developing countries as their vaccine coverage is far less than that of the developed countries," Vardhan said at the G7 health ministers' meeting.
Dr Vardhan tweeted: "With vaccine coverage as a % of population in developing countries still low compared to developed countries, such an initiative could prove to be highly discriminatory."
Vardhan added that the focus should be on increasing the production of coronavirus vaccines and ensuring their equitable supply.
"In the present context of the #pandemic, it is imperative to increase production of #COVID19vaccines and ensure their equitable supply. India, which manufactures nearly 60% of all vaccines and holds rich expertise is well suited to help the world augment capacity and supply," he said.
