Trust our scientists, doctors on Corona vaccine: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched India's vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus via video conferencing. Addressing the nation after launching India's vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus, Modi said Indian doctors and scientists have cleared these two vaccines after validating every necessary parameter and no one should have any doubt over their efficacy and safety, writes Krishnanand Tripathi, Deputy News Editor of ETV Bharat.

New Delhi: In order to address the vaccine hesitancy among the people about any potential adverse effect of the two Corona vaccine cleared by the DCGI for emergency use, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said Indian doctors and scientists have cleared these two vaccines after validating every necessary parameter and no one should have any doubt over their efficacy and safety.

Addressing the nation at the launch of a nationwide vaccination drive against the deadly virus that has killed over 1,52,000 people in the country in the last one year, the Prime Minister said the two corona vaccines will help us to win the war against the virus.

Earlier this month, the Indian government allowed two vaccines, Covishield, jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca and Covaxin developed by Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech.

While Covishield is produced in India by Pune based Serum Institute of India (SII), the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world and Covaxin is developed and produced by Bharat Biotech.

In order to assure the public about the safety and immunogenicity of the two vaccines, Prime Minister Modi said Indian doctors and scientists have a worldwide reputation in the development and administration of vaccines.

"Every Indian should take pride that 60% vaccination of Children across the world is done through vaccines made in India. We have earned this reputation," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said Indian vaccines were not only effective against the virus but they were also a lot cheaper and easier to transport than vaccines developed by other advanced countries.

“Some of the vaccines available in advanced economies may cost up to Rs 5,000 per dose,” said the Prime Minister.

Health workers have first right over vaccine

In the first phase of nationwide vaccination drive, nearly 3 crores (30 million) doctors, nurses, health workers, security personnel, sanitation workers will receive two doses of either of the two vaccines.

“Health workers have the first right over Corona vaccine, be it government doctors or doctors and healthcare workers in the private sectors, followed by security personnel and sanitation workers,” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Central government would bear the expenditure of vaccination for 3 crore people.

“When the entire country was under the lockdown, these people were out there to serve us and protect us. Some of them never came back home. They have the first right over the vaccines,” said the Prime Minister.

“It is our way to express the society’s gratitude towards them,” he added.

The Prime Minister said robust arrangements have been made for the roll-out of the vaccine by the state governments as they have conducted several rounds of dry runs.

Do not lower your guard

Prime Minister Modi also warned the people not to become complacent after taking the first dose.

It is very important to take the second shot, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said a person will start developing immunity against the deadly virus 15 days after the vaccination.

"Please don't stop wearing masks and hand washing after getting the first shot," the Prime Minister said in his appeal to the people who will be administered the first dose in this round of vaccination.

“It is important to get the second dose nearly a month after the first jab,” said the Prime Minister.

A long road ahead

Highlighting the magnitude of the country's vaccination drive, the Prime Minister said there are only three countries in the world that have a population of more than 300 million people that India aims to vaccinate in the first round itself.

“There are only three countries in the world whose population is more than 300 million people. These are China, India and the USA. And we are going to vaccinate as many people in the first round itself,” said the Prime Minister while highlighting the enormity of the country’s vaccination drive which is dubbed as the world’s largest ever vaccination drive.

He also said the vaccination drive will be a long one as several other vaccines will be cleared in future and the entire vaccination campaign will take time to complete.

“This vaccination drive will be a long one. It will go on for some time,” observed the Prime Minister.