Jan 09,2021:India has finally set a date with the coronavirus vaccination drive – January 16, 2021. After several training sessions and two pan-India mock drills, the Narendra Modi government on Saturday announced the date of the drive, which is seen as the biggest coronavirus vaccination programme around the globe. The decision was taken after a crucial meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the high-level meeting, the Prime Minister discussed the modalities of the mega vaccination programme with various state officials.
In the first phase, which will be launched on January 16, priority will be given to frontline workers from various sectors such as health, education and police. The government intends to vaccinate around 3 crore individuals in Phase 1 of the coronavirus vaccination programme. The second phase will see those with co-morbidities getting the Covid shot. Citizens above 50 years of age will get priority, the government said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi had said that two ‘Made in India’ vaccines will save the world. While the emergency authorisation of coronavirus vaccines saw some controversy over the inclusion of Biotech’s Covaxin, the government officials have tried to assure the masses about the safety and the efficacy of the corona shots.
According to the latest bulletin released by the Health Ministry, over 1 crore Indians have been diagnosed with Covid-19 viral infection. Over 1.5 lakh individuals have lost their lives due to corona complications.
