All Indians will be vaccinated by December 2021: Prakash Javadekar
“India’s vaccination program is robust; by December we will be able to vaccinate over 100 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi should focus on what is happening in Congress-ruled states.”
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The Centre on Friday announced that it would be able to vaccinate all against Covid-19 virus by the end of December this year.
Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s questions on the status of India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, earlier today, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, vaccination exercise in India to be complete by December 2021.
Javadekar also deflected criticism by telling Rahul Gandhi to "pay attention to Congress-ruled states...there is a mess in vaccination", and accusing non-BJP governments, which have red-flagged low vaccine stocks, of "not taking the quota for 18-44 age group given to them from May 1".
"India's vaccination will be completed before 2021. If Rahulji was concerned about the vaccine, then he should pay attention to Congress ruled states... there is a mess in vaccination. They are not taking the quota given to them for 18–44-year-old beneficiaries from May 1," Javadekar said.
He further confirmed, Health Ministry gave roadmap for producing 216 crore doses by then.
Last week, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also stated that India will be in a position to vaccinate at least all of its adult population by the end of 2021. He further assured that health facilities are currently being upgraded upon the speculation that the virus might mutate in future and endanger children.
During a Covid review meeting on May 21, the Union Minister said, "Between August and December 2021, India will have procured 216 crore vaccine doses, while by July this year, 51 crore doses will be procured."
The Congress leader had also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi an “event manager”. News agency ANI had quoted Gandhi as saying: “The problem is that there is no vaccination strategy. The Prime Minister does not think strategically. He is an event manager; he thinks one event at a time.”
Javadekar also countered the opposition leader's criticism of the centre's Covid management efforts by referring to the "Congress toolkit" - an online document several BJP leaders claim is designed to discredit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.
Union Health Ministry said on Friday, more than 1.84 crore coronavirus vaccine doses are currently available with states and union territories. It further noted that three lakh more will be received by them in the next three days.
The central government has so far provided, through the free of cost channel and direct state procurement, more than 22.46 crore doses to states and UTs.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
