First vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks: PM Narendra Modi

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 all-party 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 strongly 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 concernsRollout of the vaccine will begin as soon as scientists wave the green flag,” Modi said. 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.