India to roll out COVID vaccine delivery from January 16

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 9

India will roll out COVID-19 vaccine delivery on January 16 after the festivities of Lohri, Pongal, Bihu and Sakranti conclude.

The decision was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of COVID-19 in the country along with the preparedness of the State/UTs for COVID vaccination, on Saturday.

The Prime Minister took a detailed and comprehensive review of status of COVID management covering various issues. Emergency Use Authorisation or Accelerated Approval has been granted by the National Regulator for two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) which have established safety and immunogenicity.

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The PM was also briefed about the preparedness status of the Centre in close collaboration with the State and UT governments for roll out of the vaccine in the near future.

The vaccination exercise in underpinned by the principles of people’s participation (Jan Bhagidari); utilising experience of elections (booth strategy) and Universal Immunisation Program (UIP); no compromise of existing healthcare services, especially national programmes and primary health care; no compromise on scientific and regulatory norms, other SOPs; and an orderly and smooth implementation driven by technology.

The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 crore, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 crore.

The Prime Minister was also apprised about the Co-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System.