Prime Minister chairs review meeting on Covid-19 vaccination drive

The meeting had been called by the Prime Minister to discuss the progress of the vaccination drive.

"Officials gave a detailed presentation to the PM on the progress of vaccination in the country. PM was briefed about the age-wise vaccination coverage. PM was also briefed about the vaccine coverage among healthcare workers, frontline workers and general population in various states," a statement from his office said.

The meeting was held after more than a month the Prime Minister announced the new vaccination policy, covering everyone over the age of 18 under the free vaccination drive.

During the meeting the officials apprised the PM about the vaccine supply in the upcoming months and efforts being made to increase production, the statement informed.

"PM was informed that 3.77 crore doses have been administered in the last six days which is more than the entire population of countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Canada," the statement from his office said.

" The Prime Minister was informed that 3.77 crore doses have been administered in the last 6 days which is more than the entire population of countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Canada," the statement said.

It was also discussed that 128 districts in the country have vaccinated more than 50% of the 45+ population and 16 districts have vaccinated more than 90% of the 45+ population, it further said.

PM expressed satisfaction at the rising speed of vaccinations in this week and stressed that it is important to carry this momentum forward, the statement added.

"Officers briefed the PM that they are in touch with state governments to explore and implement innovative methods to reach people for vaccination," it said.

"PM spoke about the need to involve NGOs and other organisations in such efforts," it added.

PM directed officers to work with the states to ensure that the pace of testing does not go down as testing remains a very important weapon to track & contain rising infections in any region.

Officers also apprised the PM about the rising interest in Cowin platform globally.

The PM said that efforts should be made to help all countries, who have expressed interest, with India’s rich tech expertise in the form of the Cowin platform.

So far, 50 cases of Delta Plus variant have been reported, which is a fresh worry for the government.

The Delta Plus variant, which is also highly transmissible, was first detected earlier this week in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala and was later traced in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

A day before, the Union health ministry urged the eight states and union territories to impose immediate containment measures such as preventing crowds, conducting widespread tests as a proactive step to stop the spread of the new variant.

The health ministry also stressed on priority vaccination in those districts where the Delta Plus variant of coronavirus has been detected.