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

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

Urges Oppn To Help Dispel Rumours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:05.12.2020

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 allparty 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 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.

“Rollout of the vaccine will begin as soon as scientists wave the green flag,” Modi said.

Govt may classify severity of ailments

The government is considering a separate classification to assess the severity of co-morbid conditions for people below 50 to qualify for the priority inoculation list. People with a mild kidney ailment or moderately high BP may not be considered in the first phase.

Cong, Sena demand free shots for people

While Congress and Shiv Sena demanded that the vaccine be provided free to large sections of people, the point of view of the former was articulated outside the all-party meet by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who wasn’t able to speak during the deliberations.

Eight vaccines currently being developed in India, says 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. “India has vaccine distribution expertise and capacity. 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.

The PM said some additional cold chain equipment and other logistics would be required, which would be evaluated with the help of state governments.