Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the world’s biggest vaccination drive against SARS COV – 2 / N. Cov virus with two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin.
He, however, said ‘ dawai bhi, karai bhi’, which means alongside using the vaccines people should continue to maintain hygiene and S.O.P norms such as masking, 2- meter distancing, sanitizing and hand washing.Only vaccination do not insulate a person against the adverse impact of the virus unless hygiene and other norms are followed alongside.
He claimed the vaccines are cheapest in the world and are fully safe for use.The vaccines will act as shield against the 2nd wave of pandemic or the new strain if at all it arrives here.
The country’s fight against Novel Corona virus began with Janata Curfew on 22nd March. Since then over 1 crore people were contaminated by the virus and nearly 1.5 lakh have perished.
Over 50 crore people will be vaccinated in two phases with a gap of 28 days across the country within the next few months by the two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin.
Around 3 crore health and front line Covid fighters is on the priority list followed by over 30 people of different age groups especially those suffering from co-morbid conditions.
Covishield is manufactured by Serum Institute of India in collaboration with Oxford University and pharmaceutical major Astra Zeneca. Covaxin is wholly indegenous vaccine and has been produced by Bharat BioTech – ICMR combine.
Brazil and South Africa have already shown interest in purchasing the vaccines. Covishield is used in UK after completing all necessary scientific trials.
Bengali