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It’s no secret that India has been struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks – in early May, the country was the world’s worst hotspot when the death toll peaked at more than 414,000 fatalities.
On June 3, President Joe Biden announced that 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be shared with India, Gaza and other countries. And recently, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) met with Houston’s Indian American residents to discuss the COVID-19 crisis in India.
“I was very recently engaged in serious discussions with the Indian American community in Houston over the devastating COVID-19 conditions in India. Today, I want to applaud @potus for this first important step of major vaccine distribution to India," she wrote in the first of a string of tweets about the meeting. “Just a few weeks ago, I also helped lead an effort with UMMC, Indian American community leaders and business leaders to send needed ventilators to India. I am now urging again @potus to increase the vaccines and medical equipment to be sent to India as soon as possible, including providing any necessary waivers, that did not happen in the last administration, to further deliver supplies more quickly.”
There are many issues that can affect an individual’s ability to obtain COVID-related health care in India. Access to health care, finances, the country’s lack of medical infrastructure and medically trained staff, are just a few of the issues that pop up for individuals who are considering the COVID-19 vaccine. They also have to contend with judgment and stigma from others. And, as of June 3, just 4.7% of the 950 million adults in the country have gotten two doses of COVID-19 vaccines to protect themselves and others.
But India is facing a COVID-19 crisis, and the country has approved 300 unapproved COVID-19 vaccine shots as they fight the second wave of COVID-19. Reuters reported that the country is buying 300 million vaccine doses from Biological-E, a local firm.