PM Modi reviews India’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reviewed all aspects related to India’s COVID vaccine strategy discussing possible forward routes as a range of vaccine candidates show promise.

The PM tweeted about the meeting saying, “Held a meeting to review India’s vaccination strategy and the way forward. Important issues related to progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement were discussed.”

Held a meeting to review India’s vaccination strategy and the way forward. Important issues related to progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement were discussed. pic.twitter.com/nwZuoMFA0N

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2020

The prime minister said he also reviewed “various issues like prioritisation of population groups, reaching out to healthcare workers, cold-chain Infrastructure augmentation, adding vaccinators and tech platforms for vaccine roll-out”.

The Centre has already asked states to finalise their priority lists for COVID vaccination and create a three tier system for immunization once the vaccines are available.

The meeting came in the wake of Oxford University and Serum Institute vaccine showing high immune response even among older people in phase two trials, and US Pharma major Pfizer announcing 95 per cent vaccine efficacy in final phase 3 analysis.

American Biotechnology firm Moderna has also shown nearly 95 per cent efficacy in interim results from phase 3 trials of its vaccine candidate.

Earlier Russia had said Sputnik V had 92 per cent efficacy in late stage results.

India is looking for multiple vaccines for procurement considering its large population.

The Centre has already told states not to open parallel procurement pathways saying Government of India would get the vaccine nationally and distribute it to states.

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