COVID-19 vaccines secure, don’t believe rumours: Modi

Launching the world’s greatest COVID-19 vaccination drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16 mentioned India-made vaccines have been secure and requested folks to not believe rumours.

Congratulating all Indians and the nation’s scientists on the event, he mentioned the world had not seen a vaccination drive of this scale and famous India’s response to the pandemic was acknowledged globally.

“The vaccines have come about in the shortest time span and this is an achievement for India and its contribution towards the battle against COVID. There are 100 countries which do not have a population of three crore but India in the first phase will inoculate three crore healthcare and frontline workers and, 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 U.S. and China. Hence, this is going to be the biggest vaccination drive,” Mr. Modi mentioned.

On the primary day, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) medical director Randeep Guleria and NITI Aayog member (Health) V.K. Paul have been among the many first to be vaccinated, together with a sanitation employee at AIIMS, Delhi. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla additionally took the vaccination on Saturday.

Stating round 60% kids of the world will get vaccines manufactured in India, the Prime Minister mentioned the world put its belief on India’s vaccine science and analysis. He added, “Indian vaccines are much cheaper than foreign vaccines and easier and more conducive to India’s conditions. There are vaccines abroad whose single dose costs up to ₹5,000 and have to be kept in freezers at minus 70 degrees temperature. India-manufactured vaccines are best suited for us.”

He additional cautioned beneficiaries towards decreasing their guards after getting the vaccine shot and mentioned folks ought to do not forget that the vaccines comprised two pictures and had a niche of near a month between them.

“The vaccine starts working 14 days after the complete round is finished. But don’t lower your guard during or after vaccination. The mantra ‘Dawai Bhi, Kadaai Bhi’ should be followed, and the use of mask and social distancing norms is essential,” Mr. Modi mentioned.

Workers’ sacrifice

Stating that the vaccines had been launched after trials and dry runs, the Prime Minister mentioned that individuals ought to safeguard towards rumours and, on an emotional observe, identified that India had reached this stage right this moment solely due to the sacrifice of the healthcare employees.

“They fought for every single life. During the pandemic, they stayed away from their families and many never returned. India has so far fought COVID-19 with self-confidence and self-reliance and we have to keep up this spirit even during the vaccination programme. Today, by vaccinating this vulnerable population first, we are recognising their service,” he mentioned.

“The whole world is today accepting the manner in which India has dealt with the pandemic. India also set the example of how the Centre and State governments, local bodies, government and social institutions can work better by uniting. We brought in early measures like lockdown to fight the virus about which very little was known then,” mentioned Mr. Modi.