Two 'made in India' covid vaccines in record time show India's talent: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Launching the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated scientists and researchers who were engaged in the development of vaccines against Covid-19.

PM Modi said the development of any vaccines is generally a time-taking process but vaccines against Covid-19 have been developed in record time.

"In such a short time span, India has been able to develop two vaccines against Covid-19. This is a testimony to the scientific talent that out country has," PM Modi said.

PM Modi launched the pan India rollout of Covdi-19 vaccination drive at 10:30 am via video conferencing.

A total of 3,006 session sites across all states and UTs will be virtually connected during the launch. Around 100 people will be vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day.

The vaccination drive is being conducted on the basis of identifying priority groups that should receive the vaccine first. Healthcare workers, both in government and private sectors, will receive the vaccine in the first phase of the drive.

As per a press release issued by the government, the nationwide vaccination programme will use Co-WIN, an online digital platform developed by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which will facilitate real-time information of vaccine stocks, storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries for Covid-19 vaccine.

This digital platform will assist programme managers across all levels while conducting vaccination sessions.

"A dedicated 24x7 call centre - 1075 - has also been established for addressing the queries related to Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine rollout and the Co-WIN software," the press release said.