India successfully rolled
out the world's largest Covid-19 vaccination drive yesterday. It was
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing.
More than 1.91 lakh people across the country were inoculated on the
first day. The Health Ministry said not a single case of
post-vaccination hospitalisation has been reported so far. SII-produced
Covidshield was supplied to all States and UTs, while Bharat Biotech's
Covaxin was sent to 12 States. Government said, vaccination drive is
probably the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic in the
country.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said India's COVID 19
vaccination campaign is based on very humane principles and those
exposed to maximum risk get priority. Mr Modi stressed that this type of
large-scale vaccination campaign has never before been run in history.
He pointed out that India is vaccinating three crore people in its first
phase of vaccination. Mr Modi added that in the second phase, 30 crore
people will be vaccinated. The Prime Minister said there are only three
countries in the world with a population over 300 million - India, China
and the US.
Mr Modi praised those scientists who had been involved in making the
vaccine against Corona for the past several months. He exuded pride how
two Made in India vaccines were readied in such a short period. Mr Modi
said Indian vaccines are much cheaper than foreign vaccines but are
equally good.
He said there are some vaccines abroad whose single dose cost up to
5,000 rupees and have to be kept in freeze at minus 70 degree
temperature. He said India's vaccines enjoy global credibility because
of their track record. The Prime Minister said scientists gave nod to
the two made-in-India vaccines after being sure of their effects, and
asked people to not heed rumours and propaganda.
Mr Modi highlighted the need to have two doses of corona vaccine.
Between the first and second doses, a gap of about one month will be
kept. The body will develop the immunity against the corona only 2 weeks
after the second dose. The Prime Minister gave the mantra of "Dawai
Bhi, Kadaai Bhi" and requested people to not make the mistake of taking
off the mask and not maintaining social distancing after getting the
first dose.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan interacted with the Health
Ministers of States and Union Territories to review the first Day of
World’s largest Vaccination Programme. He urged all State Health
Ministers to keep a check on rumours and disinformation regarding the
Vaccines and make efforts to disseminate the right information. Dr Harsh
Vardhan said, the vaccination drive, for which preparations were being
done for the last five months under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has finally started.
The State Health ministers and Secretaries apprised the Union Health
Minister on the progress and the target achieved on the first day of the
vaccination. They also shared that the minor technical glitches on the
software such as uploading the details of beneficiaries were noted
during the vaccination. The Minister was informed that people showed
appreciation and confidence in the vaccine throughout the country.
SOURCE ; PIB NEWS
(With input from news agency language)
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