Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday launched India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, the world’s largest inoculation exercise against the novel coronavirus. In a virtual address, an emotional PM Modi paid tribute to scientists and healthcare workers, who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. “Amid the crisis and the atmosphere of despair, someone was transmitting hope by putting his life on the line to save us,” PM Modi said. He added that safety protocol, including social distancing and wearing masks, must remain in place. India will administer shots to three crore frontline workers in phase one. There are 3,006 session sites across the country, where 100 beneficiaries each will be given either of India’s two indigenous vaccines, Covaxin or Covishield.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday flagged off India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive — the world’s biggest inoculation exercise yet — with three crore healthcare and frontline workers first in line to be vaccinated against the deadly disease.
On Day 1, around 100 beneficiaries each will be given the first shots of the two indigenous Covid-19 vaccines — Covishield from the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin — at 3,006 session sites across the country.
While virtually launching the nationwide vaccination drive, PM Modi got emotional speaking about the hardships faced by healthcare and frontline workers during the pandemic and urged Indians to continue following Covid protocols even after getting vaccinated.
“Today, when we’ve developed our own vaccine, the world is looking at India with hope. As our vaccination drive will move forward, other countries of the world will benefit from it. India’s vaccine and our production capability must be used for human interest, this is our commitment.”
“Scientists gave nod to two made-in-India vaccines after being sure of their effects, don’t pay heed to rumours, propaganda. Our vaccination programme driven by humanitarian concerns, those exposed to maximum risk get priority.”
“Such a vaccination drive at such a massive scale was never conducted in history. There are over 100 countries having less than 3 crore population and India is administering vaccination to 3 crore people in the first phase only. In the second phase, we’ve to take this number to 30 crores.”