January 16, 2021 will be remembered in India’s history as the day the vaccination drive against COVID-19 was begun. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this drive which is considered the world’s biggest.
The PM launched it virtually on Saturday. Two Vaccines – Covaxin and Covishield will be provided initially to 3 crore healthcare workers in the country. “The country owes this to our healthcare workers, their tireless efforts throughout the pandemic,” PM Modi said in his launch-speech. He added that very soon 30 crore people in India will get the vaccine. He heaped praises for Indian scientists who had made 2 vaccines available within a year.
He also highlighted about the affordability of the Indian made vaccines and their easy storing and management while foreign-made vaccines cost more and require specialized storage features. He also cleared the fears about Indian-made vaccines; “around 60% children of the world get vaccines that are manufactured in India. The world puts trust in India’s vaccine science and research.”
Sources reported the Union Health Ministry saying that a total of 3006 session sites across all states and union territories will be virtually connected during the launch. Around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day.