The year 2021 has brought us hope in the form of a novel Coronavirus vaccine, and with it, comes politics between the Centre and the non-BJP states, over sharing the cost of a very expensive vaccination programme and the approval given to a certain 'desi' vaccine. Also, the concern that the Narendra Modi-led Centre would make an event out of the national vaccination drive plays thick on the mind of the opposition leaders, some of who have refused to get the 'BJP vaccine' injected into their system, unmindful of the efforts the apolitical scientific community has made to make the vaccine possible. One can only imagine the level of politics the leaders can reach in the future.

The expenditure part of the vaccination drive remains unexplained, with no commitment made either by the Centre or the state governments as far as making it free (of cost) for all is concerned. The Centre says it would bear the cost of vaccinating three crore most priority beneficiaries like healthcare and frontline workers, and promises to administer by July the drug to additional 27 crore priority beneficiaries who need it considering their co-morbidities. However, there is no clarity whether the 27 crore beneficiaries, and whosoever is outside the priority list, will also get the vaccine for free. The Centre and state governments should mull a strategy to appease most sections of the society when all governments are shouting financial shortcomings. Yet, some states have already announced free vaccination for all, perhaps assuming that the Centre will pick up the entire tab. Maharashtra hasn't made any such declaration yet, but is consistent in demanding that the Centre provide the vaccine to the poor who cannot afford it.