Here is everything you need to know about PM Modi’s Covid review meeting:
PM Modi held a meeting to review the Covid situation in the country. Focusing that vaccination is a long-term process in the fight against the novel virus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday directed all states to immediately focus on aggressive testing and micro-containment to break the chain of transmission of the second Covid wave.
He also appealed to states to achieve 100 percent vaccination of the 45-plus population in high-focus districts and called for a “vaccination Utsav” between the birth anniversaries of icons Jyotiba Phule (April 11) and B R Ambedkar (April 14).
The Prime Minister also reiterated the vaccination strategy based on the prioritization of vulnerable populations. “In a single day, we have achieved vaccinating 40 lakh persons…The most resourceful countries also have set criteria for vaccination. We are not different from them. We are working towards achieving maximum manufacturing capacity. We have discussed vaccine development, vaccine stock, and wastage. You know about the number of vaccines that are manufactured; these factories are not established overnight. Whatever is available to us, we have to prioritize,” Modi said.
For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose party is fighting five state elections, the unfolding health crisis may continue to dent his international image after India curbed vaccine exports this month as the second Covid wave mounted.
Meanwhile there are concerns that India might be running short of vaccine doses.
After the country shipped or donated more than 60 million doses of Covid vaccine, India last month said it would slow down exports to focus on its own requirements. But domestic demand is expected to outrun supply despite those export curbs. For now, one month of supplies from India’s two approved vaccines only last 17 days at peak demand.
As India battles with a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections – with an average of more than 90,000 cases daily from 1 April – its vaccination drive appears to be struggling. Half a dozen states are reporting a shortage of doses
The government has also decided to allow public and private workplaces to arrange vaccination drives from April 11, according to an April 6 letter, which has not yet been public
Talking about vaccine manufacture, India is a powerhouse. It runs a massive immunization program, makes 60% of the world’s vaccines, and is home to half a dozen major manufacturers, including the Serum Institute of India the largest in the world.
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