Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an all-party meeting on Friday said that in next few weeks, the much awaited COVID-19 vaccine would be ready for its administration in India. Addressing an all-party meeting with the state representatives to discuss the coronavirus situation, PM Narendra Modi said the pricing of the coronavirus vaccine and its distribution are being discussed with the states.
COVID-19 vaccine will be first given to about 1 crore health workers from both the public and private sectors, and then to about 2 crore frontline workers, the Union Health Ministry said in its presentation at the all-party meet on Friday.
PM also gave enough indication that India will use indigenously made vaccines as he talked about cheap but effective vaccines. Both Moderna and Pfizer candidates are much higher priced than India’s potential immunisation candidates.
“The world is looking at a cheap but effective vaccine against Covid-19. The world is looking at India. You can be assured our scientists are working hard. Eight Covid vaccines are at different stages of preparedness in India. This includes the three Indian vaccines that are at different stages of trials,” said PM.
The virtual meeting began at 10.45 am, in which Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, apart from Health Ministry Secretary, were also present.