New Delhi (NVI): With flights ferrying Covid-19 vaccine across India, the country is gearing up for the launch of ‘world’s biggest vaccination campaign’ to vaccinate 1.3 billion people from January 16.
In the mass immunisation drive, the aim is to vaccinate 30 crore people over the next six to eight months, according to the Health Ministry.
First to get the vaccine will be 30 million health workers, from both government and private sector, frontline workers, police and paramilitary, home guards, disaster management volunteers and other jawans in civil defence.
Second stage of vaccination will include those above 50 years of age and those below 50 years of age with comorbidities.
In addition to this, state governments will not have to bear any cost towards vaccinating 30 million health-care workers and front-line workers.
Furthermore, approved vaccines are highly cost-effective in comparison to other vaccines from across the world, as per the Health Ministry.
A digital platform, Co-Win, will be used to store real-time data related to the vaccine. Co-Win will assist in the vaccination drive and issue digital vaccination certificates.
Beneficiaries will be identified with the help of Aadhaar cards and a timely second dosage will also be ensured.
Pertinent to mention here that the country’s drug regulator (DCGI) has granted emergency approval to two vaccines — Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech.
-CHK/ARK
