A dangerous shortage of materials for vaccines

Our readers have their say on current challenges in the Covid-19 inoculation drive and a generous donation to help a young Filipino family in need

Vaccines continue to dominate the headlines. Reuters

The danger posed by delays in the vaccine supply chain

I write in reference to Ramola Talwar Badam’s article Serum Institute chief sounds alarm over vaccine raw materials shortage (March 16): as a former pharmaceutical worker myself, I feel strongly about this issue. The chief of India’s Serum Institute has good reason to worry. If stocks are jeopardised, there are fears that half the world’s population will not be vaccinated until as late as 2022. A US export ban on raw materials makes this unpleasant possibility more likely. Hopefully the new administration will realise this and relax its measures in the coming days.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Why India's current rate of inoculation needs to speed up

I write in reference to Sholto Byrnes’ article Quad pact on vaccines could inject needless geopolitical tensions (March 17): if India’s vaccination race is indeed of geopolitical significance, the country will be some way behind other nations. It has only administered 2.6 million doses as of March 11, 55 days after it started its inoculation programme. This translates to just two percent of its population, or roughly 47,272 vaccinations per day. India’s target is 300 million by the end of July. It would need to administer roughly two million doses per day to reach this target. At current rates, we would need eight years and four months to reach this number. India must step up the pace.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

A situation no family would want to find itself in

I write in reference to Patrick Ryan’s article Filipino couple overjoyed as Dubai businessman pays infant twins’ Dh57,000 hospital bill (March 16): I can imagine exactly how this poor couple felt, having myself been in a similarly difficult situation. My eldest child was delivered prematurely. When he was moved into an incubation unit for an extended period of time, my husband’s employer stopped paying his salary and insurance. We had a remaining Dh63,000 to pay. I begged the hospital for a reduction, which they gave to the sum of Dh13,000. The rest we covered with our credit cards, as well as with the help of a generous friend. God will always provide. We can never predict the ways in which he chooses to do so. I am so grateful that their incredibly challenging ordeal is now at an end.

Ruth Villaflor Dela Cruz, Dubai

Generosity has relieved a young family of a huge burden

I am so happy for this couple. This gives you a fresh start with your twins. I wish your family good health. Thank you very much to the person who made such a generous gesture.

Shirley van Erven, Dubai