Covid vaccine could be ready in few weeks-PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that a coronavirus vaccine could be ready for its administration in India in a few weeks and the vaccination would begin as soon as the Centre gets a go-ahead from the scientists developing the drug. During an all-party meeting in New Delhi on Friday, called to discuss the coronavirus situation in the country, Modi said, frontline healthcare workers, elderly people and those suffering life-threatening symptoms and diseases will be among the first to get the Covid vaccine. Modi said the pricing of the coronavirus vaccine and its distribution across the country are being discussed with the states.

PM Modi said the world was keeping a close watch on the cheapest and safest vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and is looking towards India. “Our scientists are very confident of succeeding in their endeavour of making Covid vaccine. With the help from state governments, other needed cold chain storages and logistical support are being measured. A special software has also been developed for vaccine stock and real-time information.India is looking to be self-reliant in both development and production of Corona vaccine. While at least five pharmaceutical companies of India are engaged in vaccine development, Serum Institute in Pune has been chosen for mass production of Covishield developed by Oxford-Astra Zeneca. 
The Centre has initiated a robust vaccine manufacturing and delivery ecosystem to meet the demand. Government has already announced a stimulus package of 900 crore rupees for “Mission Covid Suraksha” to promote indigenous vaccine development. This grant will go to the Department of Biotechnology for Research and Development of Indian Covid-19 vaccines and ensure that they are fast-tracked for introduction in public health systems, subject to regulatory clearances.

Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Harsh Vardhan are also present in the meeting. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Ghulam Nabi Azad, TMC leader Derek O'Brien, DMK leader T R Baalu, NCP patron Sharad Pawar and party leaders from other political parties participated in the virtual meeting.