PM Modi Cautions Against 'Out-Of-Turn' COVID Vaccination For Public Representatives

PM Modi said that the first phase vaccination will prioritise 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers and public figures will have to wait for their turn.

Image: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with state Chief Ministers today ahead of the Coronavirus vaccine rollout. PM discussed the world's largest inoculation drive which is to be conducted on January 16 and said that the priority will be given to the healthcare workers working in both private and government agencies. PM also warned that politicians should not jump the queue to take the vaccine but wait for their turn. Noting that the first round of vaccination is meant for frontline workers, PM Modi said, "This is my personal suggestion and no one should take it otherwise. We public representatives are not part of it." The government has prepared a priority list for the first phase of vaccination, which is headed by one crore health workers and two crore frontline workers like the police, civil defence personnel, and sanitation workers, for whom the vaccines will be free. The other high-risk groups -- people above the age of 50 years and those below it who have co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension -- will also be vaccinated in this phase, starting January 16. Overall, 30 crore people will receive the vaccine in this phase. The PM said the Centre will be the single agency for all vaccine purchases.

Covishield to cost Rs 200 per dose

Pune-based Serum Institute has received the purchase order from the government today, at the price of ₹ 200 a vial for the first 100 million doses. The first consignment of the COVID 19 vaccine will arrive in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning.

In some countries, including the US and Israel, leading public figures have taken the jabs while top functionaries in a few others have chosen to follow the standard protocol and wait for their turn.

Talking about the COVID-19 situation in India, Modi said the country is in a much better place than many others in terms of the pandemic's spread, and added that this is a matter of happiness but should not induce carelessness. The panic visible among the people six-eight months back is no longer there, and the increasing confidence among them in the fight against the pandemic has had a positive impact on economic activities as well, the prime minister said.

Modi also asked states to ensure that rumours do not get spread about the vaccination exercise and suggested involving social and religious groups in helping check any rumour-mongering. On Saturday last week, Modi had reviewed the status of COVID-19 and vaccine preparedness across states and union territories at a high-level meeting where.

He said many states have given good suggestions in fighting the pandemic and the dialogue and cooperation between the Centre and states have been a "great example" of federalism