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Tag: Vardhan

  • Vaccine hesitancy issues will be addressed through education, govt will educate people

     The coronavirus vaccine cannot be forced upon anyone but the government will educate and give the right information to people about it, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.

    “Vaccine hesitancy issues will be addressed through education. The government will spread awareness and educate people about the vaccine that this is for their own good and benefit,” Harsh Vardhan said in an interview with ANI.

    He also said that the government had prioritised who will get the vaccines after observing international trends and keeping in mind the guidelines of the World Health Organisation.

    “The ideal time would be when we reach a point where everyone can be vaccinated. But if there is a limited number of vaccines, it is important to prioritise how who will be the first to get it. Before taking a decision, the government consulted experts, those in the ministries, people in the state governments, and those involved in making vaccines. These decisions have been made while observing international trends and WHO guidelines,” the Union Minister said.

    He said the first one crore people to be vaccinated will be the health workers in the private and public sector, while the next two crores to be vaccinated will be frontline workers, sanitation staff, police, and other frontline workers, followed by people over the age of 50.

    “Over 80 percent of the people who died due to Covid-19 have been over 50 years. There are about 26 crore people in this category. After that, people below 50 with health issues like BP, heart and kidney problems will be vaccinated,” he said.

  • MP demands early Covid shots for those in transport sector

    Mahesh Poddar, a Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, wrote to Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday, suggesting that those engaged in the public transport sector be included in the priority list of Covid-19 vaccination in the first phase since they were part of essential services that drive the nation’s economy.

    “Individuals employed in public transportation are essential actors in the nation’s economy. Be it those driving private platforms, chartered, or public taxis, buses, autos, trucks, vans, shuttles, tempos and tourist vehicles, tram, metro rail, rickshaw, or those who are train operators, sailors, airline pilots, and the attendants on board any of these vehicles, these employees are the reason why citizens across the country are able to commute seamlessly and comfortably amid the ongoing pandemic,” he wrote.

    Jharkhand has so far identified 1 lakh frontline workers, mostly doctors and health workers, for the first round of vaccinations. Once frontline workers are vaccinated, the state will start vaccination of senior citizens and the ones with comorbid conditions.

    He added that by continuing to tirelessly do their jobs, their personal health and safety, as well as that of their loved ones, were at risk. “Covid-19 being a highly contagious airborne disease their exposure to thousands of people on a daily basis exponentially multiplies that risk. Their contact with large numbers means that they have the potential to become super-spreaders of the virus,” he said.

    “It is with such concerns in mind that I urge you to consider prioritizing those employed in the crucial transportation sector for vaccination, once the trial and approval procedures are completed. Not only will it prevent the potential spread of the virus through these individuals who come in contact with so many people on a daily basis,” he appealed.

  • With 22,889 new COVID-19 infections, India’s total cases rise to 99,79,447

    With 22,889 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, India’s total cases reached 99,79,447, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.

    With 338 new deaths, the toll mounted to 1,44,789. According to the Union Health Ministry, the total number of active cases in the country reached 3,13,831. Meanwhile, the total discharged cases are at 95,20,827 with 31,087 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 15,89,18,646 samples tested for COVID-19 up to December 17. Of these 11,13,406 samples were tested Thursday.

    The Health Ministry on Friday said that country’s recovery rate is 95.31 per cent, the case fatality rate at 1.45 per cent, and the percentage of active cases is 3.24 per cent.

    Maharastra continues to be the worst affected country by the pandemic with 68,476 active cases followed by Kerala with 58,339 active cases.

    India recognised the COVID-19 threat early and pursued a scientific evidence-based approach to combat the situation, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan while addressing a virtual event by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

  • PM Modi said – we are on the threshold of getting corona vaccine, work on 8 vaccines fast

    Corona virus is once again becoming uncontrollable in the country. Reports of the outbreak of the second wave of corona infection are coming from many states continuously. Meanwhile, the government convened an all party meeting (all-party meeting) today on the issue of Corona. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined it through video conferencing.

    In the meeting, PM Modi said that now there will be no more waiting for the corona vaccine. We are on the threshold of getting the vaccine. The vaccine will be ready in a few weeks. This is the first important meeting of Modi after discussion with the vaccine companies.PM Modi indicated that the corona vaccine may be given to the elderly, Corona Warriors first. After the all-party meeting, PM Modi said, ‘There are eight such vaccines, which are still in the trial phase. It is expected that in the next few weeks, there will be good news about the vaccine, work will start on getting approval from the scientists. The Prime Minister said that India is working on a special software which will track the delivery of vaccine to everyone.

  • Hemant Soren plea on medical colleges

    Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, in a letter written on Wednesday, requested Union health minister Harsh Vardhan to reconsider the decision of the National Medical Council (NMC) to stop admission process in three newly-formed medical colleges of the state.

    “I have spoken to the Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhanji,” Soren tweeted on Thursday, adding he requested the Union minister to reconsider the matter that involves future of the students.

    The NMC had earlier decided to stop admission of students in three newly-formed medical colleges located at Hazaribagh, Palamau and Dumka for the academic year 2020-21, citing lack of infrastructure and faculty. 

    These medical colleges were sanctioned by the Centre under a centrally sponsored scheme. While the Union health and family welfare ministry had sanctioned Rs 340 crore for the purpose, the state government also released Rs 392.88 crore for establishing those colleges by upgrading the existing district hospitals in Hazaribagh, Palamau and Dumka districts. Those were also inaugurated by the Prime Minister last year.

    Earlier, Soren had also written to the NMC chairman Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma on November 5 and requested him not to stop admission process in those colleges. But approached the Union health minister again when no positive response was received.

  • 44,878 new COVID19 infections, India’s total cases surge to 87,28,795

    44,878 new COVID-19 infections reported in the last 24 hours, India’s total cases surged to 87,28,795, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Friday.

    With 547 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the toll has mounted to 1,28,688.

    The total number of active cases in the country stands at 4,84,547 after a decrease of 4,747 in the last 24 hours. Total cured cases are 81,15,580 with 49,079 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 12,31,01,739 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to 12th November, of these 11,39,230 samples were tested yesterday.

    Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said that India’s COVID-19 response approach has been pre-emptive, proactive and graded, keeping in mind the large population of the country.