PM Narendra Modi in a meeting on Tuesday said that government is keeping a close watch on the development of vaccines and will ensure that the vaccine reaches everyone. In the first stage the vaccine will be given to the frontline health workers, the second to police and sanitation workers, in the third to people above 50 and to those with co-morbid conditions in the fourth stage.
In a virtual meeting of all the state Chief Ministers including that of 8 states- Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc which registered a surge in Covid-19 cases after the recent festival season. The second part of the meeting was focused on vaccine for Covid-19 procurement and distribution.
The government is in contact with Indian developers and manufacturers, along with global regulators, governments of other countries, multilateral institutions and international companies. The prime minster said that just like the focus in the fight against Covid-19 has been on saving each and every life, the priority will be to ensure that the vaccine reaches everyone through transparent process.
The prime minister also said that the government at all levels will have to work together to ensure that the vaccination drive is smooth, systematic and sustained.
Prime Minister noted that the priority of vaccination is being decided in consultation with the States. The requirements of additional cold chain storages have also been discussed with the States.
In the meeting, he asked Chief Ministers to ensure regular monitoring of State Level Steering Committee and State and District Level Task Force to ensure better results.
While the overall countrywide figure has dropped below 50,000 for several days now, the situation in certain states — including Delhi — has given rise to concern. There is a need to increase testing, PM Modi said.
He reiterated how the mortality rate in the country has been far below than the other countries. He also highlighted that as we do not know when the vaccine will come, we cannot letter guard down.
Prime Minister Modi requested the citizen to follow the principle ‘jab tak dawai nahin tab tak dhilayeee nahin’.
