COVID-19 Vaccination News Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched India's COVID-19 vaccination drive while reassuring the country that emergency use authorisation was given to two made in India vaccines only after scientists were convinced of their safety and effectiveness, and urged people to beware of propaganda and rumours. Over 3 lakh healthcare workers will be inoculated on the first day of the much-anticipated vaccine drive. Today is the 298th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 1.05 crore confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1.52 lakh deaths. More than 1.01 crore people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. However, there are 2.11 lakh active cases in the country, which comprises 2.02 percent of the total caseload. India's recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 96.53 percent. Globally, more than 9.31 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 19.99 lakh have died so far. Many countries have granted emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and have started the process of vaccinating healthcare workers and high-risk groups. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for two vaccines -- Covishield and Covaxin.
Coronavirus LIVE updates | PM Modi should have taken COVID vaccine shot: Congress leader
Senior Congress leader and former UP legislator Pradeep Mathur on Sunday said it would have been better had Prime Minister Narendra Modi taken the coronavirus vaccine shot on the first day of the inoculation drive, thereby injecting confidence among people.
"It would have been better had Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented an example like that of Joe Biden, the president-elect of the US, by getting himself vaccinated. By taking the COVID-19 vaccine shot, he would have injected confidence among people of the country. People are still feeling hesitant in getting themselves vaccinated," Mathur said here on Sunday.
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Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Over 1,500 healthcare workers administered COVID vaccine on first day in Himachal
Administering anti-coronavirus vaccines to healthcare workers began in Himachal Pradesh as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched the inoculation drive at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here on Saturday.
Hardeep Singh, a sanitation worker, was the first person in the state to be administered a shot.
After him, IGMC senior medical superintendent Janak Raj got vaccinated.
A total of 1,536 healthcare workers were vaccinated on Saturday for COVID-19 in the state, special secretary health Nipun Jindal said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Army's northern command joins nationwide COVID vaccination drive
The Udhampur-based Northern Command of the Army on Saturday joined the online launch of vaccination drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The drive will primarily commence with vaccination of healthcare workers deployed in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, a defence spokesperson said in a statement here.
He said a total of over 12,000 health workers are required to be vaccinated in a progressive manner.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | 23 die in Norway after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, 13 were nursing home patients
Twenty-three people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine with 13 of those deaths apparently related to the side effects of the shots, New York Post reported citing the health officials.
All 13 were nursing home patients and at least 80 years old.
Common reactions to the vaccine, including fever and nausea, "may have contributed to a fatal outcome in some frail patients," New York Post quoted Sigurd Hortemo, chief physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency, as saying in a statement on Friday.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Shot in the arm for health staff: From facing harassment to being first to get COVID-19 vaccine
Several hundreds of healthcare workers, from doctors to sanitation workers at hospitals, were given shots of Covid-19 vaccine at 81 centres, after the world's largest vaccination drive was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the country.
"We were only trying to do our job when the virus had just invaded our cities, and our country. We were not criminals that they subjected many of our fellow brothers and sisters to humiliation. But, it feels very relieving today. People have understood we were trying to save lives, putting our own lives at risk," said Biji Tomy, a nurse who received the very first Covid-19 vaccine shot at the LNJP Hospital.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | No case of post-vaccination hospitalisation so far, over 1.65 lakh vaccinated:
Health Ministry
The Union health ministry in a press conferencesaid that no case of post-vaccination hospitalisation was reported after 1,65,714 people were vaccinated on January 16.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
COVID-19 vaccines Covaxin and Covishield administered at 3,351 session sites across India, said government.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
When will poorget free COVID vaccine, asks Akhilesh Yadav
As the coronavirus vaccine was launched on January 16, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav sought to know from the government how the drive will be conducted and when the poor will get the shot free of cost.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he has faith in doctors of the country but not the government.
He also suggested that the BJP people should first line up in queues and get themselves vaccinated as the party conducts all programmes in a grand manner.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Maharashtra has received 10 lakh vaccine doses, says state health minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on January 16 said the state has received 60 per cent of the COVID-19 vaccine stock or 10 lakh doses so far and the remaining doses will be available in the next 10 days.
Speaking to reporters after attending the vaccination drive in Jalna, Tope said at least 8 lakh health workers have registered for this programme, and for this, the state needs 7.5 lakh additional doses of the vaccine.
'Although the state has received 60 per cent to the vaccine stock it needs, the remaining consignment will be made available in the next 10 days,' the minister said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Bharat Biotech to pay compensation if Covaxin causes side effects
Bharat Biotech, which has received a government purchase order for supply of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin, a COVID-19 vaccine, said the company will pay compensation to recipients in case of any serious adverse effects experienced after receiving the antidote.
A consent form to be signed by the vaccine recipients said, "In case of any adverse events or serious adverse events, you will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the government designated and authorised centres and hospitals." "The compensation for serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (BBIL) in case if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine," the form said. In phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, Covaxin has demonstrated the ability to produce antidotes against COVID-19. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Astrazeneca COVID vaccine gets approval in Pakistan: health minister
Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted approval for emergency use in Pakistan, the country’s health minister said on January 16, the first vaccine against the disease to be given the green light in the South Asian country.
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COVID-19 vaccination commences in Bihar, 30,000 to be inoculated daily
COVID-19 vaccination kicked off inBihar on Saturday with five staff members of a super specialty government hospital here becoming the first ones to receivethe shots in presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kumar was at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), a state-run hospital modelled after AIIMS, where cleaning staff Ram Babu got the first jab, followed by ambulance driver Amit Kumar.
Others vaccinated in presence of the chief minister were lab technician Sonu Pandit, junior resident Sanant Kumar and nursing officer Karamveer Singh Rathore.
Kumar gave away citation letters to the first five recipients.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
The total number of persons found positive with the UK strain of COVID-19 is 116
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Meghalaya Chief Minister ConradK Sangma on Saturday launched the COVID-19 vaccination program in the state at a government medical facility, where 100 health workers were administered the shots. Another 732 people, mostly health workers and doctors, will receive the jabs in different districts of Meghalaya, including East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills, officials said. A total of 16,000 health workers will be vaccinated during the first phase of the drive that will be completed in three-four weeks, they said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Mahesh Sharma among first lawmakers to get COVID-19 vaccine
With a Covishield jab on his forearm, BJP leader and Gautam Buddh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma on Saturday got vaccinated for coronavirus as a 'healthcare worker', becoming among the first parliamentarians in India to get inoculated for the infection.Sharma, who is also a trained MBBS doctor, got vaccinated at 11 am at his Kailash Hospital in Noida Sector 27, hospital spokesperson V B Joshi told PTI.The 61-year-old former Union minister was then kept in observation for 30 minutes at the hospital, Joshi said.
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As the country began administering two made-in-India vaccines against COVID-19 on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said it represents the determination of a self-reliant India and is an important milestone in the fight against the pandemic.Complimenting scientists as the world's largest vaccination drive was rolled out, Shah said in a series of tweets that India is one of the few countries which have achieved success to end the biggest crisis facing the humanity.
The home minister said the 'New India' led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an India that transforms disasters into opportunities and challenges into achievements. "This 'Made in India' vaccine represents the determination of the self-reliant India. On this historic day, I bow to all our Corona warriors," he said in tweets in Hindi.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Bharat Biotech, which hasreceived a government purchase order for supply of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin, a COVID-19 vaccine, said the company will pay compensation to recipients in case of any serious adverse effects experienced after receiving the antidote.In the consent form to be signed by the vaccine recipients, Bharat Biotech said, "In case of any adverse events or serious adverse events, you will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the government designated and authorised centres/hospitals.""The compensation for serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (BBIL) in case if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine," the consent form said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Resident doctors at New Delhi’s Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have written to the Medical Superintendent asking for them to be vaccinated against COVID-19 using the Covishield vaccine instead of Covaxin. In the letter dated January 16, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) said its present members are a "bit apprehensive about the lack of complete trial in case of Covaxin."
The doctors said that Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech was being preferred at the hospital's vaccination site over Covishield produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Covaxin is still undergoing phase-3 trials. The association further claimed that due to this apprehension, resident doctors "might not participate in huge numbers, thus defeating the purpose of vaccination."
Read: RML Hospital’s resident doctors want Covishield, not Covaxin vaccine due to 'lack of complete trial'
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Sweeper, nurses among first recipients to get COVID-19 vaccine in Andhra Pradesh
A government hospital sweeper andnurses were among the first recipients of COVID-19 vaccine in Andhra Pradesh as the programme was launched in the state on Saturday by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.Sweeper B Pushpa Kumari and a senior staff nurse Naga Jyothy were administered the vaccine at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada where Chief Minister formally launched the drive.
A short while earlier, 40-year old staff nurse Manjula of the government hospital in Prodatturu town in Kadapa district, the native of Jagan Reddy, became the first person to get the vaccine.Local MLA Prasad Reddy launched the vaccination drive midway through Prime Minister Narendra Modis address after he flagged-off the nation-wide exercise.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot:
Everyone was eagerly waiting for this day. Finally, the vaccine is out. Vaccination would take place at 167 booths in Rajasthan. It would take one to one-and-half-a-year to vaccinate everyone. Until then, we need to continue to follow COVID related protocols
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | 20 ITBP personnel get COVID-19 vaccine in Ladakh
At least 20 healthcare personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) posted in Ladakh were among the first recipients of the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nation-wide drive to combat the pandemic.A total of 20 ITBP personnel have been given the jab at the sector hospital in Leh and this includes two women officers, chief medical officer Katyayni Sharma Pande and medical officer Dr Skalzang Angmo, force spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said in Delhi. The border guarding force has a large presence in the Ladakh region by virtue of its deployment to guard the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccination drive begins in Kashmir
The coronavirus vaccination drive started in Kashmir on Saturday, with nearly 2,000 healthcare workers, including prominent doctors, to be given jabs in the Valley by the end of the day, an official said.Forty centres -- 20 each in two divisions -- across Jammu and Kashmir started the vaccination drive after Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started it across the country in the morning, the official said. AG Ahangar -- the director of the SKIMS, the premier tertiary care hospital in Srinagar -- received the first shot at the centre, State Immunisation Officer Qazi Haroon said.
About 4,000 healthcare workers will receive the shot in the first phase and 100 people each will be given shots at these centres, Haroon told PTI. A lot of doctors, including heads of institutions, several heads of departments and chief medical officers of various districts, received the jabs to boost confidence in the vaccination process, according to Haroon.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Optimism is taking hold among the country's largest banks. With the rollout of vaccines underway and a new round of economic stimulus landing soon, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup each said Friday that they had begun to pare back the enormous reserves they had socked away in case of an economic disaster.
Citigroup’s chief financial officer, Mark Mason, cited the vaccines, the most recent round of stimulus and the election outcome — which is likely to result in a bigger stimulus package — as drivers of the bank’s decision to raise its economic forecast, lower its expectations for the unemployment rate in 2021 and release some rainy day funds.
Read:With vaccines and stimulus on the way, banks brighten their outlook
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Vice President, Union Ministers laud launch of coronavirus vaccination drive
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday described the launch of the anti-coronavirus immunisation drive as a "red letter day" for the people of India and lauded scientists for developing the vaccines in a record time.Union ministers, including Amit Shah, lauded the roll out of the inoculation programme. The home minister said the made in India vaccines represents the determination of a "self-reliant India."
In a Facebook post, Naidu said India has scripted history by touching a new milestone in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic with Prime Minister Modi launching the world's largest vaccination drive. "This is a proud moment for every Indian and I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to all the scientists for the remarkable speed with which the vaccines were developed in a record time," he wrote.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Serum Institute of India, which is developing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, CEO Adar Poonawalla got vaccinated on January 16, the first day of nationwide vaccination drive. Poonawalla shared a video of getting jabbed on his Twitter handle. He said, "I wish India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi great success in launching the world’s largest COVID vaccination roll out." It brings me great pride that Covishield is part of this historic effort and to endorse its safety and efficacy, I join our health workers in taking the vaccine myself, Poonawalla added.
Read:Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla gets Covishield shot to allay safety concerns
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
The staff of RML Hospital in Delhi has written a letter to medical superintendent expressing apprehensions about "lack of complete trial data" of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. "We request you to vaccinate us with Covishield," they said.Notably, Covaxin was granted emergency use authorisation by the DCGI even as the Phase-3 clinical trial is yet to be completed. Many health experts have expressed concerns over the lack of information regarding safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
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Bharat Biotech has released a fact sheet for Covaxin recipients in a bid to allay fears about the COVID-19 vaccine, which was granted emergency use authorisation by the DCGI even as the Phase-3 clinical trial is yet to be completed."The clinical efficacy of Covaxin is yet to be established and it is still being studied in phase 3 clinical trial. Hence, it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean that other precautions related to COVID-19 need not be followed," it said.
Read:Bharat Biotech releases Covaxin fact sheet; here's all you need to know
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Gujarat: Medical van driver, ex-MCI chief get vaccine among others
A medical van driver fromRajkot, along with doctors, on Saturday became one of the first beneficiaries of COVID-19 vaccine in Gujarat on the first day of the inoculation drive. The drive began at 161 centres in the state where the vaccine jabs were administered to health workers almost simultaneously.Former president of Medical Council of India (MCI) Dr Ketan Desai, was the second person to receive the vaccine at civil hospital in Ahmedabad.
In Ahmedabad civil hospital, the first doses of vaccine were given to doctors in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. Medical Superintendents of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagarcivil hospitals will get the vaccine besides more than 16,000 health workers in the state during the day.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
COVID-19 vaccine drive launched in Kerala, 13,330 health care workers to be covered on Day 1
The vaccination drive tocombat COVID-19 began in Kerala on Saturday at 133 designated centres with prominent government doctors among the first batch of frontline workers to be administered the vaccine."It's a proud moment here in Kannur that the director of Malabar Cancer Centre, Dr Satheeshan Balasubramanyam became the first person in the district to receive the vaccine,"State Health Minister K K Shailaja said.
Shailaja, who visited one of the centres in Kannur district, said such prominent persons will receive the vaccine at each district centre and in all 13,300 health care workers will be covered in a single day.Director of Health Service R L Saritha was given the vaccine shot in Thiruvananthapuram.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Don't believe in rumours, experts say vaccines safe: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged people not to believe in rumours and listen to experts who say COVID-19 vaccines are safe, as the world's largest immunisation programme against the disease began in the country.Kejriwal inspected the COVID-19 vaccination campaign at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital here, interacted with some health workers who received the shot and lauded their contribution in fighting the pandemic.
The vaccination drive has started at 81 centres in Delhi. "I have interacted with those vaccinated. No one has any problem. All are happy that they will get rid of coronavirus," the chief minister said. He said, "I want to say to all not to pay attention to rumours and misinformation. The experts say vaccines are safe and there is no need to worry."
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Woman sanitation worker gets the first shot in Telangana as COVID-19 vaccination programme begins
Amid cheers, a woman sanitationworker received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital here as the exercise was launched in Telangana on Saturday. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender formally launched the vaccination programme at the state-run Gandhi Hospital here. The woman sanitation worker was administered the shot amid cheers by those present at the Gandhi Hospital after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on the occasion of the vaccine roll out concluded.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Congress MP Manish Tewari:
Many imminent doctors have raised questions with regard to the efficacy & safety of COVAXIN with govt saying that people will not be able to choose as to which vaccine they would like to take. This goes against the entire doctrine of informed consent. If the vaccine is so safe andreliable and efficacy of the vaccine is beyond question then how is it that not a single functionary of the government has stepped forward to get themselves vaccinated as it has happened in other countries around the world?
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria:
We have started the world's largest vaccination programme and we are very confident that it will be a smooth programme and we will be able to vaccinate a very huge number of people. It is the beginning of the end as far as the pandemic is concerned, I want to reassure everyone that the vaccine is safe. It is efficacious. We have to vaccinate a huge number of people and therefore we can't start being very choosy. We must have confidence in our researchers, scientists and regulatory authorities.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccines 'Sanjivani' in fight against pandemic: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday described the COVID-19 vaccines as 'Sanjivani' in the fight against the infectious disease as he urged people not to pay heed to hearsay and instead believe in experts and scientists.Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world's largest vaccination programme covering the entire length and breadth of the country and urged people to show patience during the COVID-19 immunisation drive as they had shown till now in fighting the pandemic.
"It's a historic day. We have been blessed by the prime minister all through our fight against COVID-19. It's the largest coronavirus vaccination programme in world," Vardhan told reporters at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here. "We have been able to put up a valiant fight against the disease during the last one year. Adopting a preemptive and proactive strategy has resulted in very good performance by India. We have probably the lowest fatality rate in the world," he said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh:
I am very happy that the COVID-19 vaccination drive has begun, we have started with the health workers and it will gradually come down to other people. I have written to the PM to request free vaccine for the lower-income group. Scientists and doctors have said that the vaccine is safe. So, what is the fear? There is no fear.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccination begins in West Bengal
The COVID-19 vaccination drivebegan in West Bengal on Saturday morning, with a doctor of a private hospital receiving the first shot, officials said. Bipasha Seth is the first person who got inoculated in the state, the hospital authorities said. "It's a great day for humankind. I feel elated to get the first dose," said Seth.
West Bengal's Minister of State for Labour Nirmal Maji also received the Covishield vaccine at the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, the officials said.The vaccination programme started around 10.30 am at 212 session sites, including medical colleges, urban primary healthcare centres and a few private hospitals, they said.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Goa: Hospital worker gets first coronavirus vaccine dose
A hospital worker became thefirst person in Goa to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday, health officials said. Ranganath Bhojje, a worker at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) near here, was the first to receive the vaccine dose in the coastal state, an official said.The vaccination drive began in the morning at seven different centres, including two private hospitals, in the state.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were present at the GMCH when Bhojje was given the dose. Ninety nine others will also get the dose at this facility on Saturday.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
COVID-19 vaccination drive begins in Maharashtra
The COVID-19 vaccination drivebegan in Maharashtra on Saturday along with the rest of the country. Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar, Dean, JJ Hospital, in Mumbai and Dr Padmaja Saraf were among the first beneficiaries to receive the vaccine shots in Mumbai and at Jalna civil hospital, respectively. The inoculation drive is taking place at 285 centresin Maharashtra where 100 healthcare workers will be administered the shots in a day, and cover 28,500 workers, an official said.
The state has received 9.63 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 20,000 doses of Covaxin vaccine, which have been distributed to all the districts.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Vaccination drive begins in Delhi, healthcare workers get first shots
The COVID-19 vaccination drive began in Delhi on Saturday with healthcare workers, who were at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, getting the first shots.Doctors, nurses and healthcare workers were vaccinated at AIIMS hospital. A doctor, a nurse and a sanitation worker will be given the shot later in the day in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at LNJP Hospital, sources had said on Friday.
According to the Chief Minister's Office, Kejriwal will visit the hospital at 12 noon. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain is also expected to join him. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers of the LNJP Hospital, Delhi's largest state-run facility, had rendered yeoman service last year in the collective battle against the deadly virus.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan:
I am very happy and satisfied today. We have been fighting against COVID-19 in PM's leadership for the last one year. This vaccine will work as a 'sanjeevani' in the fight against COVID-19, which has entered the final stage.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Launching India’s massive COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the people to be aware of propaganda and rumours about the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved for public use in India.“Our Indian scientists and experts have guaranteed the safety of the vaccine, so the people of the country must not listen to any kind of propaganda and rumours surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine,” PM Modi said. Some experts and politicians had questioned efficacy of one of the vaccines that was granted restricted emergency use authorisation in India.
Read |Beware of propaganda against COVID-19 vaccination: PM Narendra Modi
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s massive COVID-19 vaccination exercise via a video conference on January 16.“Everyone was asking as to when the vaccine will be available. It is available now. I congratulate all the countrymen on this occasion,” PM Modi said in his address. “Usually it takes many years to develop a vaccine but in such a short span of time, not one, but two 'Made in India' vaccines are ready. The work on other vaccines is also progressing at a fast pace,” PM Modi added.
PM Modi said that the unprecedented vaccination exercise will help decisively end the coronavirus pandemic. “Such a vaccination drive, at such a massive scale, was never conducted in history. There are over 100 countries having less than three crore population and India is administering vaccination to 3 crore people in first phase itself. In second phase, we have to take this number to 30 crore,” the prime minister said.
Read:PM Narendra Modi launches India’s massive COVID-19 vaccination drive
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | PM Narendra Modi:
In the fight against coronavirus, we have set an example for the world at many steps. When countries left their citizens, stuck in China amidst this pandemic, on their own, India stepped up and evacuated not only Indians but also people of other nations under Vande Bharat mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on COVID-19 vaccine:
India’s vaccination programme is based on humane protocol. Those most vulnerable are getting the vaccination first. Our health care and frontline workers have the first claim to this COVID19 vaccine.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | PM Narendra Modi:
India took the right decisions at the right time, keeping an eye on every event, being vigilant for 24 hours.On January 30, the first case of coronavirus was found in India, but India had formed a high-level committee over two weeks before that.January 17, 2020, was the date when India released its first advisory.India was among the first countries in the world to start screening passengers at its airports
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | PM Modi:
Today when we take a look at the last year, we realise that we have learnt a lot as a person, a family and as a nation. This disease kept people away from their families. Mothers cried for their children and had to stay away from them. People could not meet their elderly admitted at hospitals. We could not bid adieu to those with proper rituals who died due to coronavirus.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | PM Modi:
Never before has this type of vaccination and such a large-scale vaccination campaign been run in history.There are more than 100 countries in the world whose population is less than 30 million.And India is vaccinating 3 crore people in its first phase of vaccination. In the second phase, we have to take it to the number of 30 crores.Those who are elderly, who are suffering from serious illness, will get vaccinated at this stage.
Coronavirus Vaccination News LIVE Updates | PM Modi:
Healthcare workers across public and private hospitals will get vaccinated. After healthcare workers, police, firemen and others will be vaccinated. India has vaccines to inoculate up to30 crore people.
