PM reviews Covid vaccine progress, warns people against complacency

Prime Minister Modi insisted on continued social distancing, Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing the mask, regularly washing hands and sanitation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautioned people against complacency over the decline Covid-19 numbers in the wake of upcoming festival season.

Prime Minister Modi insisted on continued social distancing, Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing the mask, regularly washing hands and sanitation.

The prime minister's remarks came during a review meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country and the preparedness of vaccine delivery, distribution, and administration with Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and other officials 

The experts breiefed the prime minister on the steady decline in the daily Covid cases and growth rate, and gave him an update on the vaccine development.

Three vaccines are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which 2 are in Phase II and one is in Phase-III. 

Indian scientists and research teams are collaborating and strengthening the research capacities in neighbouring countries viz., Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are further requests from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar and Bhutan for clinical trials in their countries, a government statement said. 

The prime minister told the Covid-19 response team that keeping in view the geographical span and diversity of the country, the access to the vaccine should be ensured speedily.

He stressed that every step in the logistics, delivery, and administration should be put in place rigorously. That includes advanced planning of cold storage chains, distribution network, monitoring mechanism, advance assessment, and preparation of ancillary equipment required such as vails and syringes.