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Tag: COvid vaccination drive

  • Can steadily open up vaccination, says AIIMS chief

    As the nation enters the third part of its Covid vaccination drive, AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria mentioned the necessity of the hour is to inoculate extra individuals and steadily confide in cowl decrease age teams — however this must be balanced with the provision of vaccines.
    Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange e-event Friday, Guleria mentioned: “We are a very large country and if we were to say that we would want to vaccinate the entire adult population for which the vaccine has been currently approved, then that would mean close to one billion people. We will need two billion doses and there is no way that we could get two billion doses if we have to open it up for everyone.”
    According to Guleria, the problem is to stability the doses obtainable “with the number of people we can vaccinate based on the priority list”.
    “So what I think one needs to do is to see how the trend is and if you find that after a week or 10 days, the number of people coming for vaccination are falling, open it up for a lower age group and gradually do that. There are people in the lower age group who are wanting to be vaccinated whereas others who are in the older age group meet the criteria but still are reluctant and not willing to take the vaccine but are holding up the line,” he mentioned.

    The vaccination drive, which kicked off on January 16, has been witnessing a lukewarm response with a number of states nonetheless not having the ability to meet the goal of inoculating their healthcare and frontline employees.

    “On Thursday, we opened up the vaccination for 45 years and above and we received a huge response. At AIIMS, Delhi we have five vaccination sites and normally we do 100 per site and on an average we vaccinate 600 beneficiaries daily. On Thursday, we vaccinated 996 people and we thought we would cross the 1000 mark. But these are early days, if this continues then we are in a very good position. But let’s say after 10 days we see only 50% of the people coming, that means we are reaching a saturation point for those who want to get themselves vaccinated. So maybe we should lower the age group now,” Guleria mentioned.

    According to the AIIMS chief, it ought to be obligatory for healthcare employees straight concerned in affected person care to take the shot. “When we look at the data from our hospital, 50% of healthcare workers have not come forward. Unlike the general public, there is more vaccine hesitancy in the healthcare workers because of the reading and worrying about the things that don’t matter. I have argued with them that the drive is not for them but for their patients. It should be mandatory for all the healthcare working in the hospital for the safety of their patients,” Guleria mentioned.

  • Vaccine drive to be prolonged; no purpose to doubt efficacy: Harsh Vardhan

    The authorities Friday mentioned that the Covid-19 vaccination drive will probably be prolonged and burdened that nobody ought to have any misgivings concerning the effectiveness of the vaccines in India.
    Health Minister Harsh Vardhan mentioned India has vaccinated 3.5 to 4 crore folks to this point and unwanted effects of the vaccines has been recorded at 0.000432 per cent.
    “Every vaccine does not require universal immunisation and all these priority groups whom we are vaccinating today like healthcare staff first and then senior citizens and people aged between 45 and 59 years, it will be extended in the coming days all these are based on experts’ opinion but we have also consulted WHO guidelines,” he informed the Lok Sabha following a query raised by Ravneet Singh, Congress chief of the House in the course of the Question Hour.
    Serum Institute’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin have been at present authorized for restricted emergency use in India.
    Replying to a query by NCP MP Supriya Sule on whether or not the federal government is aiming at common immunisation of Covid-19 vaccine, Vardhan mentioned it’s not scientifically essential to administer the vaccine to each individual within the nation.
    “Not each and every person in the world will be vaccinated. The prioritisation process is a dynamic process. The behaviour of the virus is also dynamic. All things are based on scientific facts, scrutiny and vision of the overall scientific and health community,” he mentioned.
    Vardhan mentioned beneath India’s current common immunization programme, free vaccines are supplied in opposition to 12 vaccine-preventable ailments, together with Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, extreme type of Childhood Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Meningitis, amongst others.
    Congress chief Ravneet Singh had requested whether or not the vaccines had unwanted effects handed on to the DNA of the receiver and that such fears have been doing the rounds amongst folks.
    “There is no need to fear vaccines. We got victory over polio and chicken pox due to the vaccination,” he mentioned.There are detailed pre-clinical and medical trials, which get totally studied by the specialists earlier than a vaccine will get the nod, the minister mentioned, including that “There should not be any misconception regarding the Covid-19 vaccines and the people should avail the facilities given by the government get themselves vaccinated.”
    Citing the work completed by the group of specialists referred to as the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVAC)), Vardhan mentioned that a lot of the credit score of the vaccination drive goes to the work completed by the group.
    “What you are seeing today is the hard work of the people in the ministry and this group, which was set up by the prime minister in August. Since then, they have been working closely regarding all scientific developments related to this,” he mentioned.
    The minister additionally identified that the Subject Expert Committee has cleared two Indian vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) after inspecting knowledge supplied by thesecompanies.
    Data supplied by two Indian firms was additionally examined by the World Health Organisation, he added.
    Replying to questions on Thalassemia, requested by his social gathering MP Maneka Gandhi, Vardhan mentioned, that not a single Thalassemia affected person was disadvantaged of blood in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic interval.

  • Satish Shah receives COVID-19 vaccine, says ‘stood for three hours in the sun’

    Veteran actor Satish Shah on Tuesday tweeted that he has obtained the coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination centre in Mumbai. Shah, who’s the newest Indian celeb to obtain the vaccine, detailed his expertise in a tweet, writing, that whereas there was commotion outdoors the vaccination centre, folks inside adopted self-discipline.
    The actor additionally wrote that he stood for 3 hours in a queue for his flip and later bought “scolded” by the authorities for not availing the VIP entrance. “#COVID19Vaccination stood for 3hrs. In the hot Sun at BKC n got it done. Total chaos outside but very disciplined inside. Got politely scolded for not availing VIP entrance but felt good behaving like RK Lakshman’s common man,” Satish Shah tweeted.

    #COVID19Vaccination stood for 3hrs. In the recent Sun at BKC n bought it completed. Total chaos outdoors however very disciplined inside. Got politely scolded for not availing VIP entrance however felt good behaving like RK Lakshman’s widespread man.
    — satish shah (@sats45) March 2, 2021
    The 69-year-old actor had confirmed to indianexpress.com final 12 months that he examined optimistic for COVID-19 in July, for which he was additionally admitted within the Lilawati hospital in Mumbai for eight days. Shah was later suggested dwelling quarantine. The actor later thanked the medical authorities for his or her care and a focus, and likewise appealed to folks to get themselves admitted to a hospital as quickly as they check optimistic for COVID-19 to keep away from any issues.
    Earlier within the day, South celebrity Kamal Haasan obtained a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. He took to Twitter to share the information whereas encouraging others to do the identical immediately. “Sri Ramachandra Hospital I got vaccinated. Everyone who cares not just about themselves but also about others should get the vaccination immediately. Today immunization of body, next month vaccination against corruption. Get ready (sic),” tweeted the 66-year-old appearing legend, whereas sharing the image of him receiving the jab.

    Satish Shah was final seen on display in Saif Ali Khan-starrer comedy Humshakals in 2014. His final tv look was Comedy Circus in 2007.

  • Centre briefs states on methods to register, paperwork wanted by beneficiaries

    Days forward of the scheduled second section of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Central authorities on Friday held a gathering with states on the rollout the place it communicated that registrations can be carried out in 3 ways for these aged above 50 and people above the age of 45 with related co-morbidities and that personal hospitals could also be allowed to cost a consumer price of as much as Rs 100 from every beneficiary in direction of infrastructure prices.
    Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Chairman of the Empowered Group on Vaccine Administration, Dr R S Sharma, chaired the high-level assembly with the well being secretaries of states. The second section of the drive is scheduled to start March 1 with a give attention to residents above 60 years of age and people inside the age bracket of 45-59 years, with specified co-morbidities.
    During the assembly, the states have been knowledgeable that the method of registration for the beneficiaries can be by three routes: advance self-registration, the place beneficiaries will be capable of register themselves prematurely by the CO-Win 2.0 portal and different platforms, together with the Arogya Setu app; on-site registration, the place beneficiaries can stroll into recognized Covid Vaccination Centres and register on-site; and facilitated cohort registration.

    The Centre additionally knowledgeable states that personal hospitals might levy as much as Rs 100 as consumer charges per dose from the recipients.
    Private hospitals are allowed to vaccinate the general public however they must put money into tools, and prepare for energy backup for fridges.
    Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry mentioned that within the subsequent section, healthcare and frontline employees who missed out or have been disregarded of the primary section of vaccination can choose vaccination centres of their selection.
    During Friday’s assembly, the states got an in depth presentation on the flagship Co-Win 2.0, which beneficiaries can use to register and select the date and placement of the vaccination web site.

    The states have been additionally knowledgeable concerning the paperwork beneficiaries must carry in the course of the day of vaccination: Aadhaar Card or Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) card for picture identification; or the Photo ID card specified on the time of registration in case of on-line registration; certificates of co-morbidity for residents within the age group of 45 years to 59 years, signed by a registered medical practitioner; and employment certificates for well being care and frontline employees.
    — with Tabassum Barnagarwala in Mumbai

  • Guidelines issued to states, UTs to make sure no wastage of COVID vaccines: Health secretary

    The Union well being ministry has issued detailed tips to the states and Union territories to make sure that there is no such thing as a wastage of COVID-19 vaccines and for that goal, the vaccinators on the session websites have been allowed so as to add further beneficiaries, other than the 100 scheduled for the day, in case they don’t flip up.
    Responding to a query at a press convention right here on how the ministry is coping with vaccine wastage throughout the nation, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday stated when the vaccination programme was rolled out, a 10-per cent wastage was factored in. “We have issued detailed tips to the states and Union territories on the best way to keep away from wastage of vaccines. We have made our digital platform extra versatile and have permitted that other than the scheduled 100 beneficiaries, the individual dealing with the vaccination session at a specific web site can add further folks so long as they’re a part of the database. This is being executed to make sure that there’s a lesser wastage of the vaccines.
    “Going ahead, we would also be sharing the data of vaccine wastage as we analyse it,” he stated.

    Bhushan stated the variety of folks vaccinated towards COVID-19 in India because the nationwide vaccination drive was rolled out had reached 25,07,556 until 2 pm on Thursday.
    Lakshadweep (83.4 per cent), Odisha (50.7 per cent), Haryana (50 per cent), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (48.3 per cent), Rajasthan (46.8 per cent), Tripura (45.6 per cent), Mizoram (40.5 per cent), Telangana (40.3 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (38.1 per cent), Karnataka (35.6 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (35.5 per cent) are among the many better-performing states with an over-35-per cent vaccination protection of healthcare staff every, he stated.

    On the opposite hand, Tamil Nadu (15.7 per cent), Delhi (15.7 per cent), Jharkhand (14.7 per cent), Uttarakhand (17.1 per cent), Chhattisgarh (20.6 per cent) and Maharashtra (20.7 per cent) have a lower than 21 per cent vaccination protection and want to enhance, Bhushan stated.
    The authorities has been urging healthcare staff, together with docs and nurses, to not hesitate to get vaccinated towards COVID-19, stressing that it’s their social accountability to get inoculated.
    At a latest press convention, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul stated the issues about adversarial results of the vaccine inflicting critical issues appear to be “unfounded, negligible and insignificant” as of now. “We would like to reassure you with data that these two vaccines are safe, they do not excite undue reactogenicity and are being accepted increasingly. They are also highly immunogenic,” he had stated.

  • PM Modi to work together with COVID vaccination drive beneficiaries in Varanasi at the moment

    Image Source : INDIA TV PM Modi to work together with COVID vaccination drive beneficiaries in Varanasi at the moment
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will work together with beneficiaries and vaccinators of the COVID vaccination drive in Varanasi on Friday by video conferencing. The individuals will share their first-hand expertise of vaccination with the PM.
    The interplay follows steady dialogue and dialogue by the Prime Minister with scientists, political leaders, officers, and different stakeholders to proactively guarantee clean conduct of the world’s largest vaccination drive. 
    The individuals within the interplay will share their first hand expertise of vaccination, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated on Thursday.
    “The world’s largest vaccination drive is underway in India. Our frontline warriors are getting vaccinated across the nation. At 1:15 PM tomorrow, 22nd January, I would interact with beneficiaries and vaccinators of Covid vaccination drive in Varanasi, via video conferencing,” Modi tweeted.
    “This interaction would give first-hand opportunity to hear their experiences as well as feedback. I would urge you all to watch tomorrow’s interaction,” he added.

    Varanasi is Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency.
    He had launched the nationwide inoculation drive on January 16 with over three crore healthcare and frontline staff prioritised to get the jabs initially.
    (With PTI inputs)
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  • India Covid-19 Vaccination Live Updates: Over 2.24 lakh vaccinated, 447 situations of hostile occasions

     
    India will administer photographs to 3 crore frontline staff in part one. There are 3,006 session websites throughout the nation, the place 100 beneficiaries every will probably be given both of India’s two indigenous vaccines, Covaxin or Covishield. Every beneficiary might want to obtain two doses of the identical vaccine, 28 days aside.
    On the break-up of Covishield and Covaxin, the Ministry information confirmed that whereas the primary vaccine, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Pune’s Serum Institute, had been provided to all states and Union territories, the indigenously developed Covaxin was administered in “clinical trial mode” in 12 states, together with the nationwide capital. Each session web site may administer solely one of many two vaccines.
    During the vaccination drive, Maharashtra recorded 14 instances of hostile occasions, nevertheless, none of them have been deadly. State officers at present learning them.
    Since the pandemic hit India in early 2020, over one crore and 5.42 lakh individuals have been contaminated with the illness, whereas near 1.52 lakh have died. At current, Kerala and Maharashtra are reporting the very best variety of each day instances.

  • Over 15,000 in Bengal get pictures, goal quick by 25%

    The Covid-19 vaccination drive in West Bengal started on Saturday, with 15,707 well being staff receiving their doses. Among the primary to obtain the vaccine had been two Group-D staff of SSKM Hospital in Kolkata and Sagore Dutta Hospital in North 24 Parganas district.
    According to officers, 20,700 staff had been scheduled to be inoculated by the top of the day in 207 centres, however 25 per cent of these eligible didn’t flip up. Health officers stated they had been trying into why so many well being staff had been absent. Glitches within the Centre’s CoWIN vaccine registration app since Friday had impeded many immunisation centres’ efforts to contact these whose names had been on the vaccination checklist for the primary day.

    “We haven’t received any report of a major mishap. A recipient in Rampurhat showed some discomfort, but that is being checked,” Director of Health Services Dr Ajoy Chakraborty informed The Indian Express earlier within the day.
    In Kolkata, SSKM Hospital Group-D worker Raja Chowdhury, who had contracted Covid-19 final July, grew to become the primary individual to obtain the vaccine shot. The capital metropolis has been allotted 93,500 vaccine doses for the primary part, probably the most of anyplace within the state. There are 19 vaccination centres within the metropolis.

    “Don’t pay heed to rumours. It’s a great achievement of our scientists. I have taken the shot and I am completely normal,” Chowdhury stated after being inoculated.
    Minister of State for Labour Nirmal Maji, who can be a physician, acquired the Covishield vaccine on the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
    At the College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital in North 24 Parganas, 35-year-old Ratan Singh, a cleaner on the hospital, stated he felt like a celeb as medical doctors, nurses and different staff clapped for him as he grew to become the primary individual on the medical facility to obtain the primary shot. North-24 Parganas has acquired the second-highest variety of vials — 47,000 — after Kolkata.
    Singh has been working within the hospital for 5 years, however stated it was the primary time he felt that his work was being recognised.

    “I was nervous, so many doctors, sisters [nurses], and others clapped for me that I forgot everything. I felt so good, people in our society hardly recognise our efforts. Getting the first shot of Covid vaccine is a lifetime experience for me. I had tested positive for Covid in July, and was hospitalised. Then, I stayed in home isolation. Now, I have taken the vaccine. I am well, not feeling anything otherwise. It is like the biggest win for our country,” Singh informed The Indian Express.
    The hospital’s medical superintendent, Prof (Dr) Sujoy Mistry stated no untoward incidents had been recorded. “It started as per plan after the prime minister addressed us. The first shot was given to Ratan Singh, a Group-D staff as decided by the health department. It is going smoothly,” he added.
    Sagore Dutta College principal Dr Arun Kumar Bandopadhyay stated, “From sweepers to doctors, everyone is on the list. We will be giving the vaccine to 100 people today. We have been waiting for this day for long. We are positive about it. There is nothing to worry about. It is a great achievement for us.”
    Bharat Biswas, an worker of the hospital’s surgical procedure division, was the second individual to obtain the vaccine on the facility. “I have been working in a Covid-designated hospital for so long. Many times, to avoid social problems, I hid my identity and did not tell people that I was a health worker. Now that I have been one of those who are vaccinated, I am satisfied. Initially, I was very nervous. I am completely fine now after taking the vaccine,” he added.

    A safety official on the hospital stated he had been informed to report on the facility at 9.30 am to obtain the vaccine, however on arrival, he was informed that his identify was not within the checklist.
    “I was told I will be given the vaccine shot today, but later they said my name wasn’t there in today’s list. The vaccine is a great achievement by our scientists. Such small things do not matter,” stated 40-year-old Subrata Sarkar.
    He remembered the medical faculty and hospital’s principal Hasi Dasgupta, who died of Covid-19 final month. “I was extremely pained when we lost our beloved principal madam. I used to always be around her, so the loss was unbearable. I miss her today. She was a great guide during the pandemic. It is a big day. She often gave us hope, saying, ‘Do not worry, soon we will have a vaccine’,” stated Sarkar.
    Earlier within the day, because the vaccination drive started after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supervised the train from state secretariat Nabanna. In a digital tackle, she thanked all of the well being staff on the 207 websites, together with medical doctors, nurses, hospital help workers, college students, and ASHA staff.

    “Many have lost their lives, many have lost the lives of their near and dear ones. Yet, the health workers, police workers, other frontline workers have kept on fighting this greatest battle of humanity. It has been almost a year now and yet the battle is going on,” she added. Banerjee stated he had requested the Centre to produce satisfactory vaccine doses for not solely frontline staff but in addition for the residents of the state so that everybody will get the pictures totally free. If wanted the state administration may bear the monetary burden, she added. State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim visited totally different Covid centres in Kolkata because the drive began.

    The state well being division stated it had shaped fast response groups in every district to watch the well being of individuals being vaccinated. Dr Ajoy Chakraborty stated these groups could be led by senior medical doctors. They will oversee administrative work associated to vaccination, and in addition monitor vaccine doses and syringe shares in vaccination facilities.
    The state authorities has additionally opened management rooms on the district stage to watch the vaccination train and the well being of these inoculated. Those vaccinated have been supplied with a quantity they will contract in case of an emergency.

    The state administration has roped in personal hospitals within the immunisation drive. On Saturday, vaccines had been administered in 5 personal hospitals in Kolkata — Dhakuria AMRI, RN Tagore, Apollo, Peerless and Tata Medical Centre. Health staff had been additionally inoculated on the metropolis municipal company’s well being centres in 5 boroughs.

  • PM Modi hails scientists for ‘hope in despair’, says should keep vigilant

    Hailing the work of healthcare, frontline staff and scientists who, at nice private threat throughout the pandemic, “brought hope in an atmosphere of dejection”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world’s largest Covid-19 immunisation drive Saturday because the nation started vaccinating an estimated 3-crore precedence group with “two Made-in-India vaccines” within the first part of an train that goals to ultimately vaccinate 30 crore individuals.
    In a televised tackle throughout the launch, during which he made fervent appeals and turned emotional whereas recalling the “nation’s debt” to “those who never returned home” and “sacrificed their own lives trying to save each and every life”, the Prime Minister underlined that folks should not decrease their guard even after vaccination. He stated the nation should metal its resolve to take care of the pandemic because it did throughout the lockdown final yr.
    He urged individuals to not abandon masks, social distancing and hygiene precautions, saying they’ve to stay vigilant and their mantra have to be “dawai bhi, kadai bhi” (get vaccinated, however take each precaution).
    Describing the dimensions of the vaccine rollout – Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin have been being administered Saturday to 100 beneficiaries from the precedence group at every of the 3006 vaccination websites throughout the nation — as “unprecedented in the history of mankind”, Modi praised the position of medical doctors, nurses, paramedical employees, ambulance drivers, ASHA staff, sanitation staff, police personnel, firefighters and different frontline staff. He stated the efforts of the scientific group to develop the vaccine in report time is “living proof of India’s strength, India’s scientific skills, India’s talent”.
    “Our medical system, the scientists developing these vaccines have built their credibility over the years. We have gained this trust because of our track record… About 60 per cent of children around the world get life-saving vaccines that are made in India,” he stated.
    “The world’s trust in our scientists and our vaccine expertise is going to strengthen further with the introduction of the Made-in-India corona vaccines,” he stated.
    People of the nation, he stated, have paid an amazing value and realized lots throughout the pandemic. “In normal times, everyone in the family gathers to take care of a person who has taken ill. But this sickness has left the ill very alone. At many places, mothers had to stay away from children who had taken ill. Mothers were very troubled, they wept, but could not hold their children in laps. Elderly fathers had to struggle alone in hospitals, their children unable to be with them. The ones who left us could not be given the final farewell with traditional rituals, which was their right. The more we think of those times, it terrifies, saddens us,” he stated.
    He quoted Telugu playwright-poet Gurajada Apparao to make the purpose {that a} nation shouldn’t be about “soil, water, pebbles and rocks” however about “our people” and “collective resolve” as demonstrated within the struggle towards the pandemic.
    He stated the “scale of the vaccination campaign” in India has by no means been tried in historical past. “This shows India’s capability… in the first round itself, 3 crore people – and there are over 100 countries with a population less than 3 crore — are being vaccinated… this needs to be taken up to 30 crore in the second round when the elderly and people with serious co-morbidities will be vaccinated… there are only three countries — India, US and China — with a population more than 30 crore,” he stated.
    The Prime Minister stated that because the nation rolls out its vaccination drive, “the world is looking at India with hope”.
    “As our immunisation campaign progresses, many countries of the world will benefit from our experience. India’s vaccines, our production capacity are for the benefit of mankind, this is our commitment,” he stated.
    He stated the value of the Indian vaccine may be very reasonably priced in comparison with overseas vaccines. “They are not only cheaper than foreign vaccines, but are also simpler to administer. Some foreign vaccines are priced up to Rs 5,000 per dose and have to be stored in minus 70 degree temperature. Whereas Indian vaccines are based on technology that has been tried and tested for many years in India. From storage to transportation, these vaccines are suitable for Indian conditions.”

    He stated the vaccination marketing campaign will proceed for a “long time” and other people shouldn’t fall prey to rumours
    “Our scientists, our experts gave permission for emergency use only after they were satisfied about the safety and effectiveness of the Made-in-India vaccine. Therefore, people of the country have to stay away from rumours and false propaganda,” he stated, urging “more volunteers” to take part within the drive.
    He instructed beneficiaries that they should return for the second dose. “You cannot take only one dose and then forget; don’t make such a mistake. And as the experts are saying, between the first and second doses, a gap of about one month will be kept. You have to remember that only two weeks after the second dose, your body will develop the necessary strength against corona,” he stated.

  • Experts on the vaccination drive: ‘Like expecting a baby, seeing it being born’

    With Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolling out the world’s largest vaccination drive towards the pandemic that has brought on 1,52,093 deaths and upended hundreds of thousands of lives within the nation, specialists—who’ve been spending hours ironing out creases forward of the launch of the inoculation marketing campaign— stated they have been ecstatic and relieved to execute the herculean activity a lot forward of time.
    Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS and a member of the Covid activity pressure was among the many first ones to take a shot of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin at AIIMS on Saturday. Calling the vaccination programme “a game changer”, he stated, “Before this, we did not have any definite treatment strategy. We were giving a lot of drugs but we didn’t have a good antiviral drug. This is one strategy which is going towards finding an end to the pandemic. The vaccination programme is something which has happened early. When the discussions were going on, people were even thinking of March for getting the vaccine. People have worked extra hard, both in terms of the manufacturers, trials and rolling out the whole process because there was a huge upscaling that was required.”
    In August, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) had constituted the National Expert Group on Vaccine administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) to supply vaccine steering and mechanism for the supply.

    Dr Samiran Panda, Indian Council of Medical Research, Scientist and Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division and a member of NEGVAC, instructed The Sunday Express “It’s almost like expecting a baby and then seeing the baby being born, but then all the worries are not yet over because the newborn now requires a different kind of care and protection. The vaccine has come into being within 10-11 months of knowing the whole genome sequence of the virus. It is a phenomenal achievement for India. It’s not over yet. Now is the time for us to remain more cautious and see how things go further.”