Vaccination to start on January 16 in India
Agencies
NEW DELHI, January 09 2021: Wait is finally over.
The Health Ministry Saturday announced a landmark decision to start mass vaccination campaign on January 16. Priority is to be given to health and frontline workers who will be estimated 3 crore people.
The phased vaccination programme will be followed by voluntary vaccination of those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities. These two segments of people number around 27 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting soon after the announcement to review the pandemic situation in the country and preparedness of the states for Covid-19 vaccination.
According to the Ministry, the Prime Minister was briefed about the preparedness of the Centre in close collaboration with the State and Union Territory governments.
Prime Minister hailed the announcement on vaccination.
In a tweet he said: “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.”