Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that the COVID-19 vaccines ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ are on the verge of being available in the country.
The Health Minister, while addressing a press conference, said, “COVID-19 vaccines ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ are on the verge of being available in the country. Our efforts are to ensure seamless last mile delivery of the vaccine.”
The Minister further stated, as advised by the experts group are formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for vaccination. The expert group was formed for vaccine administration, vaccine delivery, strategies related to the vaccine, or taking any decisions for vaccine or for taking feedbacks from various places.
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“In the first phase, the health care workers either of the public sector or private sector, frontline workers like central police, armed forces, home guards civil defence organisations, municipal workers will be administered the vaccine. In the second phase, people over 50 years will be prioritised for the vaccine,” he said.
Watch Now! Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan holds a VC with Health Ministers of all States & UTs to review preparedness for nationwide dry run of administering #COVID19Vaccine to be conducted on Jan 8. @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA https://t.co/5FBegk5Yns
— DrHarshVardhanOffice (@DrHVoffice) January 7, 2021
The Health Minister said at the meeting with Health Ministers of all States and UTs that we have to make sure that no misinformation campaign on the COVID-19 vaccine is successful.
Maharashtra, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have seen a sudden increase in coronavirus cases lately. It is a warning that we shouldn’t forget precautions and continue our fight against COVID-19. Giving the feedback on dry run of COVID-19 vaccine, he said.
“Feedback on a dry run of COVID-19 vaccine in 4 states was reviewed. We have made improvements based on the feedback. Tomorrow dry run will be done in 33 States and Union Territories”.
Meanwhile, government sources said that the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine will begin by today or tomorrow. Pune will be the central hub from where the distribution of vaccine will take place. Passengers aircraft will be allowed to transport vaccine in the belly of the carrier.
For delivery of vaccines there are a total of 41 destinations (airports) across the country that has been finalised. For northern India, Delhi and Karnal will be made mini-hubs.
Kolkata and Guwahati will be the mini-hub, for the distribution of vaccine in the eastern region. Guwahati will also be a nodal point for the Northeast.
For southern India, Chennai and Hyderabad will be the designated points for southern part.
