“There are countries which do not have a population of 3 crore but India in the first phase will inoculate 3 crore healthcare workers. In the next step, we will take this number to 30 crore. There are only three countries in the world with more than 30 crore population: India, the US and China. Hence, this is going to be the biggest vaccination drive,” PM Modi said.
Allaying fears regarding made-in-India vaccines, PM Modi said India enjoys scientific credibility in the world. “Around 60% of the vaccines that are given to children across the world are manufactured in India. The world puts trust in India’s vaccine science and research.”
In his speech, PM Modi talked about the affordability and the user-friendly nature of Indian vaccines. “Some foreign-made vaccines need to be stored at minus 70-degree Celsius temperature. One dose of some vaccines costs over Rs 5,000. Compared to that, Indian vaccines are cheaper and are also easy to use,” PM Modi said. It may be noted Pfizer vaccine, which also applied for emergency use authorisation in India, requires minus 70-degree Celsius for long-term preservation.
PM Modi also cautioned beneficiaries against lowering their guards after getting the vaccine shot. “Remember, these vaccines comprise two shots. And taking both the shots is necessary. It will also take some time after the second shot to show some effects. So, don’t be impatient,” PM Modi said.
Why India chose healthcare workers as the first beneficiaries? “The country owes this to our healthcare workers, their tireless efforts throughout the pandemic,” PM Modi said.
This is going to be the world’s largest vaccination programme as it covers the entire breadth and length of the country, the PMO has said.
A total of 3,006 session sites across all states and union territories have been virtually connected during the launch addressed by PM Modi.
Union health minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the drive at AIIMS, Delhi.
According to the government, the shots will be offered first to an estimated one crore healthcare workers, and around two crore frontline workers, and then to persons above 50 years of age, followed by persons younger than 50 years of age with associated comorbidities.
Cost of vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers will be borne by the central government.
In Delhi, the drive will kick off from the state-run LNJP Hospital with a simple ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain. A trio of a doctor, nurse and a sanitation worker will receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in the presence of Kejriwal at LNJP Hospital.
The 81 sites named in the national capital for administering the jabs include six central government facilities like AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital and Kalawati Saran Children Hospital and two ESI hospitals.
In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will launch the vaccination drive from a centre at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. As many as 4,000 health workers will be administered vaccines every day at nine centres in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.