PM Modi calls for speedy access to COVID-19 vaccine for all, cautions against complacency

Reviewing COVID-19 situation and vaccine preparedness in country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that access to vaccines should be ensured efficiently once y are ready, considering geographical span and diversity of India.
Highlighting steady decline in daily positive cases of COVID-19 and growth rate, PM Modi stressed that every step in logistics, delivery, and administration of vaccine should be carried out rigorously

According to a release from Prime Minister's Office, three vaccines are in advanced sts of development in India, out of which two are in Phase II and one is in Phase-III of advanced st. It also said that Indian scientists and research teams are collaborating to strengn research capacities in neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. re have been requests from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar and Bhutan for conducting clinical trials of se vaccines in ir countries.

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" Prime Minister directed that keeping in view geographical span and diversity of country, access to vaccine should be ensured speedily. Prime Minister stressed that every step in logistics, delivery, and administration should be put in place rigorously," release said.

It also stresses on advanced planning of cold stor chains, distribution network, monitoring mechanism, advance assessment, and preparation of ancillary equipment required, such as vials and syringes. Two nationwide studies on Geme of COVID-19 virus conducted by ICMR and Department of Bio-Techlogy (DBT) suggest that virus is genetically stable and re is major mutation in disease.

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Effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccine

PM Modi said that country should use experience of successful conduct of elections and disaster manment during vaccine distribution. He said that vaccine delivery and administration systems should operate in a similar manner, involving participation of States, UTs and district-level functionaries, civil society organisations, volunteers, citizens and experts from all necessary domains. entire distribution process should be backed by a strong IT system and should be designed to have a lasting value to our healthcare system, release said.

PM Modi directed that country "should t limit efforts to our immediate neighbourhood but also reach out to entire world in providing vaccines, medicines and IT platforms for vaccine delivery system." 

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He cautioned against complacency at decline in COVID-19 cases and stressed on keeping up efforts to contain pandemic. He insisted citizens to continue social distancing, adhere to Coronavirus protocols such as wearing mask, regularly washing hands, and sanitation especially amid ongoing festive season.

National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) in consultation with state governments and all relevant stakeholders has prepared and presented a detailed blueprint of vaccine stor, distribution, and administration. Expert Group is working actively on vaccine prioritisation and distribution of vaccine. meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Principal Secretary to PM, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, Principal Scientific Advisor, senior Scientists, officers of PMO and or departments of central government.

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