India Is All Set To Begin Coronavirus Vaccination From January 16th, 2021
India will start the vaccination against Coronavirus from January 16, 2021, as notified by the central government in a press release on Saturday.
The government has scheduled to start the drive right after the forthcoming festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu.
The decision was taken by the respected Prime Minister ‘Narendra Modi’ after examining the status of multiple vaccines. It is decided by the Central Government of India that the priority of the vaccine will be given to healthcare and frontline workers who are estimated to around 30 million, followed by those who are above 50 years of age and people with comorbidities numbering around 27 million.
Prime Minister Narender Modi tweeted in this reference: “On 16the January, India will take a ‘Landmark step’ forward in fighting against COVID-19. Starting the day, India’s nation-wide vaccine begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis.”
On Saturday, PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting including Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM, and Health Secretary, and some senior officials to review the status of COVID-19 in the country along with the preparations of the States and UTs for Coronavirus vaccination.
In the meeting, PM Modi said, India is ready with two vaccines for the protection of humanity. But the world is not only waiting for them but also watching how the country runs the world’s biggest vaccination program.
Indian drug regulator has granted the emergency use of ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ which are developed by the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech respectively. Both these vaccines have been approved by the Indian Government.
PM Modi added some words praising the nation in the meeting. He said India is among the countries with the lowest fatality rate and the highest recovery rate. He added, the way the country stood together during the pandemic was unparalleled. “Being the pharmacy of the world, India also supplied necessary medicines to the countries who were in need and will continue to do so.”
India plans to inoculate 300 million people free of cost in the first six to eight months of 2021.
India is all set to inoculate with 2,300 participants who have been trained during the national level of training which comprised state immunization officers, cold chain officers, and development partners.
Additionally, more than 61,000 program managers, 2,00,000 vaccinators, and 3,70,000 other vaccination team members have been given proper training at the states, districts, and block levels.
“The process of vaccination is underpinned by the principles of people participation – Jan Bhagidari: utilizing the experience of the election- Booth strategy and Universal Immunization Programme” – declared in the press conference.
Serum Institute has 50 million doses of vaccine already packed at its Pune plant and another 50 million doses are ready to be packed in the coming days. The Institute will now develop around 60-70 million doses/month and once a third plant comes online adjacent to its existing site, it will start to make 100 million doses/month.
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