Indian Vaccine More Cost Effective Than Others, Health Workers Will Be Given Priority: PM Modi

The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 crores.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of the state to discuss the COVID-19 situation and coronavirus vaccine rollout. The worlds' largest inoculation drive is to begin on January 16th and the preparations are underway in all the states and UTs of the country.

Key takeaways of PM Modi's speech:

• PM Modi said that the vaccines developed by the Indian companies are much for cost-effective than other countries are developed according to the needs of the people living in India.
• PM also said that the first phase of the rollout which starts from January 16th will focus on Health care workers whether they belong to a government hospital or private. Sanitation workers, other frontline workers, defence forces, Police, and other paramilitary forces will also be vaccinated in the first phase
• PM also said that the central government will bear the cost of the first phase of the vaccine which is to be given to 3 crore people in the coming months.
• PM Modi said, "Around 3 crore healthcare workers and frontline workers will be vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination. In the 2nd phase, those above 50 years and those under 50 years with co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated."
• PM also informed that 4 more vaccines are in line and 60-70% work has been completed so the country is looking forward for more vaccines till the 2nd phase of the rollout.
• PM Modi also stressed on the importance of CoWin app and said that updating digitally will help in the effective rollout so that every citizen in the country gets vaccinated.
• Bird Flu has been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, HP, Gujarat, Haryana, UP, MP, Delhi and Maharashtra. Poultry farms, zoos, water bodies have to be constantly monitored to control the spread of Bird Flu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

 Days after COVID-19 vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech were been granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that the coronavirus vaccination drive in the country will start from January 16.

The prime minister had earlier chaired several meetings with chief ministers in this regard. On January 9, he had chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of COVID-19 in the country along with the preparedness of the State/Union Territories for COVID vaccination. The government plans to inoculate nearly 30 million healthcare and frontline workers in the first phase of vaccination. After which, those above 50 years of age and the under 50 population groups with co-morbidities will be given the jab. PM Modi had tweeted about the people who will be inoculated on priority after the Centre's announcement of the date. "On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis," he had tweeted on Saturday. With the COVID-19 vaccination drive in India set to roll out on January 16, the transportation of Covishield vaccine from the Serum Institute of India's facility in Pune in Maharashtra is likely to start from the evening of January 11 or on January 12, sources involved in planning the logistics said on Sunday. The vaccine-laden trucks will move out from the Manjari location of the SII with elaborate police security