India To Begin Its First COVID-19 Vaccination Drive From January 16

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January 2021 took to Twitter to inform the general public about the vaccination drive that is scheduled to start from 16 January 2021.

On Twitter, he wrote, "On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis."

On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis. https://t.co/P5Arw64wVt

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2021

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What You Should Know

• India is all set to kick off its vaccination drive on 16 January 2021.
• The information about it was released through a press release on the government official site.
• The priority for vaccination would be given to frontline workers and healthcare workers.

The vaccination drive will prioritise frontline workers and healthcare workers including sanitation workers who are approximately 3 crores. After the healthcare and frontline workers, people above 50 years of age and people with co-morbidities will be vaccinated. Approximately 27 crores of people will be vaccinated in the second drive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January chaired a high-level meeting to analyse the status of COVID-19 in the nation along with the preparedness of the State and Union Territories for COVID-19 vaccination. Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Health Secretary, and other senior government officials attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister reviewed the status of COVID-19 management across various issues. Emergency use of Covishield by Oxford by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech has been approved for restricted use.

After the thorough review, it was decided that the COVID-19 vaccination will start from 16 January post the string of festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Pongal, etc.

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