PM Modi launches world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conference on Saturday. "Everyone was asking as to when the vaccine will be available. It is available now. I congratulate all the countrymen on this occasion," Modi said. There was tireless effort by those behind the vaccine, the prime minister said as he launched the world's largest vaccination drive to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control starting with two locally-manufactured shots—namely Oxford University/AstraZeneca-SII's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. 

"Such a vaccination drive at such a massive scale was never conducted in history. There are over 100 countries having less than 3 crore population and India is administering vaccination to 3 crore people in first phase only. In second phase, we've to take this number to 30 crores," the PM said. 

The prime minister requested those receiving the vaccination to not make the mistake of taking off the mask and not maintaining social distancing after getting the first dose because immunity develops after the second dose. "I want to remind people of the country that two doses of the corona vaccine are important. Experts have said that there should be a gap of one month between both vaccinations," Modi added. 

Over 3 lakh healthcare workers to be inoculated on the first day of the much-anticipated drive. Modi will not immediately take the vaccine himself as India is initially prioritising nurses, doctors and others on the front line.

Normally, it takes many years to make a vaccine but in such a short span of time, not one, but two 'Made in India' vaccines are ready. Meanwhile, the work on other vaccines is progressing at a fast pace, Modi added. 

On the first day, around 100 people will be voluntarily vaccinated in each of the 3,006 centres in the country, the government said.  

The vaccination drive has been planned in a phased manner, identifying priority groups. Healthcare workers, both in government and private sectors including ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) workers, will receive the vaccine during this phase, the health ministry said in a statement.