India will start vaccinating its third precedence group of those that are 50 years and above — a bunch estimated to be greater than 27 crore — in March, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated in Lok Sabha on Friday.
The vaccination programme started on January 16.
“In the first phase, the target was to vaccinate around one crore health workers of government and private clinics, which is happening swiftly. The second phase, meant to inoculate two crore frontline workers, has already begun in many states from February 2. After completing the two phases, the third phase is expected to begin in any time in March. In this phase, every citizen above the age of 50 will get vaccinated. The process will begin in any week of March,” the minister stated.
“It’s difficult to give an exact date, but it will begin in any time of the month — third or fourth week of March,” he stated.
Harsh Vardhan stated 5 million folks within the nation have already been vaccinated.
During a quick Question Hour, that needed to be curtailed after quarter-hour because of the opposition protests over the farmers’ agitation, Harsh Vardhan stated that until now, 22 international locations have positioned their calls for for Covid-19 vaccines earlier than India. The international locations embody Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, UAE, Maldives, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait and South Africa, amongst others.
The well being minister stated India has already provided vaccines to fifteen nations — 56 lakh doses have been despatched by grants and 105 lakh doses by contract.
Harsh Vardhan may take up solely two supplementary questions as because of disruptions within the House. Several rounds of debate between the federal government and the Opposition couldn’t break the logjam in Lok Sabha. While the federal government maintained that it was prepared for debates on all points, the Opposition insisted {that a} completely different slot needs to be allotted for discussing the farmers’ concern.
The House witnessed two abrupt adjournments as Opposition MPs trooped to the Well, elevating slogans and holding placards which demanded the repeal of “black laws”. As quickly because the House convened at 4 pm, Members from the Congress, Left events and the DMK rushed to the Well.
Speaker Birla took up the Question Hour and instructed the Members that questions on the Covid-19 vaccine have been developing, so Members ought to return to their seats.
Although the Speaker repeatedly requested the MPs to return to their seats, they continued their slogan elevating and he adjourned the proceedings until 6 pm.
The House met once more at 6 pm however MPs got here to centre of the House. The House was adjourned after tabling the papers.
