PM: 1st vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks

Times News Network

New Delhi: Going by expert opinion, India will not have to wait for a vaccine against Covid-19 for long and the first shots could be available in a matter of weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an all-party meeting called on Friday to discuss the pandemic situation.

The PM said the pricing of the vaccine would be finalised keeping public health interests in mind and after deliberations with state governments. He strongly urged political leaders attending the meeting to dispel rumours about the vaccine and said unfounded claims would hurt the fight against the virus. His reference seemed to be the recent controversy over an adverse event during a vaccine trial and concerns over “vaccine hesitancy” in the wider public.

“The rollout of the vaccine will begin as soon as scientists wave the green flag,” Modi said at the meeting.

ALL-PARTY MEET

India to capitalise on experienced & vast vaccination network: PM

He added that there were eight vaccines being developed that would be manufactured in India and referred to three home-grown initiatives.

He expressed confidence that progress on the vaccine front had strengthened India’s fight against the disease but emphasised that given the resurgence of Covid-19 in parts of the world, the need to use masks and observe hygiene would remain.

He broadly confirmed reports on India’s prioritisation plan for the vaccine, saying health and frontline workers and elderly people who are vulnerable to the virus would receive the shots first. He said India’s policies were shaped by scientific and expert advice and this had yielded good results in terms of disease control, treatment and lower mortalities. This will continue to be the case, he added.

Modi said the Centre and state teams were working in close coordination on vaccine strategy. “ We are far better than several other countries in this regard. We have a vast and experienced vaccination network and the country will capitalise on these advantages,” he added.

During the all-party meeting on Friday, the PM said some additional cold chain equipment and other logistics would be required, which would be evaluated with the help of states.Modi once again cautioned against rumours that may be spread about vaccination, saying it would be against both public and national interest.