PM Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the biggest vaccination drive of the world and congratulated India and its researchers on the achievement. “It takes years to prepare vaccines. But in the shortest span of time, we have not only one but two India-made vaccines,” PM Modi said heaping praises on scientists.
“There are 100 countries which do not have a population of 3 crore but India in the first phase will inoculate 3 crore healthcare workers. In the next step, we will take this number to 30 crore. There are only three countries in the world with more than 30 crore population: India, the US and China. Hence, this is going to be the biggest vaccination drive,” PM Modi said.
Allaying fears regarding made-in-India vaccines, PM Modi said India enjoys scientific credibility in the world. “Around 60% children of the world get vaccines that are manufactured in India. The world puts trust in India’s vaccine science and research.”
In his speech, PM Modi discussed the moderateness and the easy to understand nature of Indian vaccines. “Some foreign-made vaccines need to be stored at minus 70-degree Celsius temperature. One dose of some vaccines costs over ₹5,000. Compared to that, Indian vaccines are cheaper and are also easy to use,” PM Modi said. It might be noted Pfizer vaccine, which also applied for emergency use authorisation in India, requires less 70-degree Celsius for long term preservation.
PM Modi also cautioned beneficiaries against down their guards subsequent to getting the immunization shot. “Remember, these vaccines comprise two shots. And taking both the shots is necessary. It will also take some time after the second shot to show some effects. So, don’t be impatient,” PM Modi said.
Why India picked medical services laborers as the principal recipients? “The nation owes this to our medical services laborers, their eager endeavors all through the pandemic,” PM Modi said.
