Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that a vaccine delivery system be developed on the lines of election.
Prime Minister Modi chaired a meeting on the COVID19 pandemic situation and vaccine delivery, distribution and administration.
During the meeting on Saturday, PM Modi called for speedy access to vaccines for citizens once ready.
“PM suggests vaccine delivery system be developed on the lines of conduct of elections, involving all levels of governments and citizen groups,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Modi on Saturday reviewed the Covid19 pandemic situation in the country and the preparedness of vaccine delivery, distribution, and administration.
The meeting was attended by Union health minister Harsh Vardhan, principal secretary to PM, member (Health) NITI Aayog, principal scientific advisor, senior scientists, officers of PMO, and other departments of the central government.
The PM noted the steady decline in the daily Covid cases and growth rate.
Three vaccines are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which 2 are in Phase II and one is in Phase-III.
“Indian scientists and research teams are collaborating and strengthening the research capacities in neighbouring countries viz., Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka,” the PMO said in the statement.
There are further requests from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar and Bhutan for clinical trials in their countries.
In an effort to help the global community, the PM further directed that “we should not limit our efforts to our immediate neighbourhood but also reach out to the entire world in providing vaccines, medicines and IT platforms for vaccine delivery system”.
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) in consultation with state governments and all relevant stakeholders have prepared and presented a detailed blueprint of vaccine storage, distribution, and administration.
The Expert Group in consultation with the States is working actively on vaccine prioritization and distribution of the vaccine.
The PM further directed that keeping in view the geographical span and diversity of the country, the access to the vaccine should be ensured speedily.
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Prime Minister Modi stressed that every step in the logistics, delivery, and administration should be put in place rigorously.
It must include advanced planning of cold storage chains, distribution network, monitoring mechanism, advance assessment, and preparation of ancillary equipment required, such as vails, syringes etc.
He further directed that “we should make use of experience of successful conduct of elections and disaster management in the country”.
The PM said “in a similar manner vaccine delivery and administration systems should be put in place”.
This should involve the participation of states /UTs/district level functionaries, civil society organisations, volunteers, citizens, and experts from all necessary domains.
“The entire process should have a strong IT backbone and the system should be designed in such a manner so as to have a lasting value to our healthcare system,” the PM said.
“Two Pan India studies on the Genome of SARSCoV-2 (Covid-19 virus) in India conducted by ICMR and D/o Bio-Technology (DBT) suggest that the virus is genetically stable and there is no major mutation in the virus,” said the statement.
The PM cautioned against complacency at the decline and keeping up efforts to contain the pandemic.
He insisted on continued social distancing, Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing the mask, regularly washing hands and sanitation especially in the wake of upcoming festival season.