NEW DELHI: Emphasising the need to ensure speedy delivery of Covid-19 vaccine even in the remotest areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed his government on Saturday to deliver and administer the shots on the lines of elections conducted in the country, involving all levels of government as well as civil society. The PM also cautioned against complacency, particularly during the festival season, and urged people to wear masks, regularly wash hands and maintain social distancing norms.
Chairing a high-level meeting to take stock of the Covid-19 situation and preparedness for vaccine delivery and administration, the PM stressed the entire process should have a strong IT backbone and the system should be designed to have a lasting value on the healthcare system.
PM: Keep up efforts despite dip in cases
The PM asked officials to keep up efforts to contain the pandemic despite a decline in active cases. The meeting was attended by Union health minister Harsh Vardhan, principal secretary to PM P K Mishra, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul, principal scientific adviser K Vijay Raghavan, senior scientists, officers of PMO and officials from various other departments.
The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 has prepared and presented a detailed blueprint of vaccine storage, distribution, and administration. Modi directed that keeping in view the geographical span and diversity of the country, the access to the vaccine should be ensured speedily. He 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, like vials and syringes, he said.