State council of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) has requested CM Vijay Rupani to let the corporate sector start the vaccination of its staff. According to a report by The Week, the council has written a letter to CM to allow private hospitals to begin the process of administering the Covid-19 vaccine.

In the letter, co-chair of the FICCI’s Gujarat Council, Sunil Parekh, said that this was necessary to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 that several other countries were witnessing. Pointing out that the vaccination process had become slow, and it would take four-to-five months to vaccinate the front-line workers, Parekh expressed concern considering that the normal activities, businesses and schools had resumed.

While appreciating efforts done by the Gujarat government in containing COVID-19, the state council has said that if herd immunity is not developed through a faster vaccination programme, then it could lead to several risks. The letter pointed out that it was with the support of the private healthcare sector that high RT-PCR testing was possible.

The commerce body also suggested that vaccination of people over 50 years of age should simultaneously start with that of front-line workers. Parekh also said that those who can afford vaccines should be allowed to buy the vaccines. Educational institutions, large groups and industrial associations should also be allowed to support the vaccination initiative.