'Give Covaxin to Telangana citizens first': State health minister to PM Modi

Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender on Friday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to anunce that citizens of Hyderab should first get Covaxin vaccine because, COVID-19 vaccine is being produced by a city-based pharma company Bharat Biotech. This appeal by Health Minister comes a day ahe of PM Modi's visit to Bharat BioTech facility in Hyderab. Bharat BioTech's vaccine, Covaxin is currently undergoing final st of clinical trials. 

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Telangana's Eatala Rajender appeals to PM Modi

Stating that COVID-19 vaccine is only way to ericate fear of Coronavirus, Eatala Rajender said, " vaccine being manufactured at Bharat Biotech should be given to people of Telangana first." He also ded that first batch of Covaxin doses should be released free of cost to people of Hyderab and n be extended to people in or parts of state. 

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PM Modi on COVID-19 Vaccine 

PM Modi on Tuesday said that in order to be ministered to Indian citizens, any Coronavirus vaccine will have to meet all necessary scientific criteria while emphasising that government will have to work toger at all levels to ensure that vaccination drive remained smooth, systematic and sustained. While interacting with Chief Ministers of all states and UTs, PM Modi also specified that as vaccine research nears final sts, it is essential for government to closely monitor development and maintain contacts with all stakeholders. He also discussed modalities of COVID-19 vaccine delivery, distribution and ministration process during meeting. 

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While price and doses of vaccine have t been decided yet, PM Modi said that re is a lot of competition in COVID-19 vaccine race as several firms are involved. He furr ded that 'corporate world is involved' and different countries have diplomatic interests in process as well. Assuring that government will monitor vaccine development while staying in touch with global regulators, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out that focus is on ensuring that vaccine reaches everyone to save lives. 

Telangana's COVID-19 tally

As world continues to battle against COVID-19 pandemic, Telangana so far has registered 2,68,418 positive cases, out of which 2,29,602 have successfully recovered while 1,451 have scumbbed to infection. As per latest reports shared by MoHFW, in past 24 hours, 3,093 new cases, 2,194 recoveries and 3 deaths have been reported. Currently, total number of active COVID-19 cases in Telangana is 10,637. 

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