"Continuous Efforts Being Made To Increase Vaccine Supply In Big Way": PM

As several states tackle vaccine shortage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today continuous efforts were being made to increase vaccine supply in a big way. He also said efforts were on to provide states a 15-day advance schedule of vaccination to allow them to prepare.

"Vaccination is an effective means of fight Covid and we should together remove all misgivings about it. We are making relentless efforts to increase vaccine supply in a big way," PM Modi said, addressing officials from states and districts on managing COVID-19.

"The vaccine drive will also continue amid all this and you all must also ensure that there is no vaccine wastage. Vaccine wastage can be reduced to nil if we follow the best practices. Not just that you all are also the logistical heads of all these efforts, and your efforts in these areas must be flawless," he advised.

He said the biggest weapons against the coronavirus were local containment zones, aggressive testing, proper information and a check on black marketing of essentials like oxygen and medicines.

The Prime Minister dubbed the officials "field commanders" in the fight against the pandemic.

"In this battle, you have an important role. You are field commanders. This experience that you all are getting during the Corona pandemic will help you deal with many things in future too. It will help you all become better at managing such situations and hence your recorded feedback is also important," he said.

Vaccinations have slowed down in many parts of the country because of an acute shortage of vaccines. The centre's new policy from May 1 allows states and private hospitals to buy doses directly from manufacturers but companies, who prioritise supplies to the centre, have sought more time to provide enough stocks to states and private hospitals.

Several states decided to float global tenders for vaccines.