Centre announces nationwide COVID vaccine rollout on Jan 16 after 2 successful 'dry runs'

After two successful vaccine 'dry run', Centre has decided to kick-off nationwide vaccination drive on 16 January after forthcoming festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu etc, said government sources on Saturday. decision came after Prime Minister chaired a high-level review meeting with Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM, Health Secretary, and or senior officials to review status of COVID-19 in country along with preparedness of State/UTs for COVID vaccination. Prime Minister will interact with all CMs on Monday about  same.

Army takes Chinese soldier into custody after he crossed over to Indian side of LAC

Vaccine rollout on Jan 16

Priority will be given to healthcare workers and frontline workers, estimated to be around 3 crores in number, which are currently being registered on government's CO-Win App - 75 lakh benificiaries alrey registered. Followed by those, above 50 years of age and under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 crores will be vaccinated by July.  More than 61,000 programme managers, 2 lakh vaccinators and 3.7 lakh or vaccination team members have been trained so far as part of trainings at States, Districts and Block levels. government is yet to place an official order with COVISHIELD manufacturer - Serum Institute of India (SII), which has stocked 50 million doses for India.

Vaccine dry runs

With India's COVID-19 tally touching 1,04,31,639 cases and active cases falling to 2,24,190, nation held its vaccine dry run across 700 districts across all states/ UTs in India barring for Uttar Presh and Haryana on January 8. In previous vaccine dry run,  a total of 286 session sites spre across 125 districts was held on January 2. Both dry runs were successful and aimed at ensuring efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery in all states and Union Territories, with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan reviewing dry run in Chennai earlier in day.

PM Modi to chair meeting of all CMs on Jan 11 to discuss COVID-19 vaccine rollout

DCGI gives nod to COVISHIELD & COVAXIN

On Sunday, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) VG Somani announced that vaccines of Serum Institue of India (Covishield) and Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) have been granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation. Covishield - a Recombinant Chimpanzee enovirus vector vaccine - has an efficacy of 70.42%, with interim safety and immunogenicity data of Phase-II/III trials submitted to SEC. 50 million doses have been stockpiled.

Meanwhile, Covaxin - a Whole Virion Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine - 22,500 participants vaccinated in Phase-III trials and was found to be safe as per data available till date. On Thursday, Bharat Biotech (BBL)  said that company h completed its phase-3 clinical trials enrollment of 25,800 participants. As informed by ICMR, BBL has alrey ministered 24,000 volunteers with first shot of its vaccine and 5000 have been minstered with second dose - with no verse events being found. 20 million doses have been stocked  and both vaccines' phase-3 trials are ongoing.

MP CM clarifies on death of man 10 days after COVAXIN trial, terms it as a ‘misconception'

COVAXIN completes enrollment of 25,800 volunteers for phase-3 trials ahe of 'dry run'