While the decision to partner with private health care providers has clearly accelerated the process of vaccination, it does lead us to a new problem, for which states need to be prepared.


There is an under-provisioning of private health care providers in rural areas. The situation appear to be exactly opposite for government hospitals where we see better coverage in states with higher rural population.


One may tentatively infer two conclusions based on these numbers. First, as the vaccination drive gathers pace, we may see urban India that’s accounts for most of the private health care providers surging ahead at the expense of their rural counterparts. Second, govt. hospitals will continue to play crucial role in the second phase and will help bridge part of the urban-rural divide. However, it may not still be enough to ensure timely vaccination of vulnerable population in the rural India.