Odisha, Punjab CM thank PM for making vaccination a national mission

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making vaccination a national mission. Addressing the nation, he said from June 21, all people above 18 years in all states will be provided vaccines free by the Centre.

New Delhi: Stating that all stand united in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making vaccination a national mission. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acceding his request of central procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and their distribution for all age groups.

Taking to Twiter, Patnaik wrote, "Every life is precious. No one is safe until everyone is vaccinated. As a nation we stand united in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank PM Narendra Modi Ji for making vaccination a national mission."

In a tweet, Singh wrote, "I thank PM Narendra Modi Ji for acceding to our request for central procurement and distribution of vaccine for all age groups. I had written twice to the PM on this issue and to Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Ji."

In a significant decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced a centralised vaccine drive saying that the Centre will procure 25 per cent COVID-19 vaccines that were to be done by states. Addressing the nation, he said from June 21, all people above 18 years in all states will be provided vaccines free by the Centre.

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"A decision has been taken today that 25 per cent of vaccination work that was with states, that responsibility will also be taken by the Centre. It will be implemented in the coming two weeks. Both the State and Central government will work as per new guidelines in the coming two weeks," he said. He added that over 23 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given in the country and the supply of vaccines will increase in the coming days.

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(ANI)