Health workers, people over 50 and those deemed at high-risk are prioritised for the vaccination.
Over 1.6 lakh healthcare and sanitary workers at the frontline of India's COVID-19 battle got their first jabs on Saturday as PM Narendra Modi launched one of the world's biggest coronavirus vaccine rolled out the world's largest vaccination drive against the pandemic, showing the light at the end of a 10-month tunnel that upended millions of lives.
More than one crore cases and 1.5 lakh fatalities later, India took its first steps out of the pandemic with shots of the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines being administered at medical centres across the country to a collective sigh of relief that this could finally be the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 trauma.
The Union Health ministry said that 1,65,714 beneficiaries were inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines till 5.30 PM across India on the first day at 3,351 session sites.
Here are the Highlights on COVID-19 Vaccination Drive:
COVID-19: 621 get vaccine shot in Nagaland on Day 1 of inoculation driveAround 621 frontline healthcare workers of Nagaland were vaccinated for COVID-19 on Saturday when the inoculation exercise was launched across the country, officials said.
Though the administration had taken a target of vaccinating 900 people on the first day of the vaccination drive, many people did not turn up at the designated centres, they said.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday launched the programme in the state, which will inoculate around 20,000 health workers, both in government and private sectors, in the first phase.
COVID-19: Bengal logs 15 more deaths, 609 fresh casesOn the day when West Bengal witnessed the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, the coronavirus count in the state rose to 10,041 after 15 more people succumbed to the disease, the health department said.
The tally mounted to 5,64,707 as 609 fresh cases of infection were reported on Saturday, it stated.
Since Friday, 666 recoveries have been reported taking the number of cured people to 5,47,515 in the state. The discharge rate now is 96.96 per cent.
The number of active cases stood at 7,151, the department stated.
Of the fresh fatalities, six were reported from North 24 Parganas district and two from Kolkata.
COVID-19: Tripura begins vaccination drive, 1,399 frontline workers get shotsMridul Das, a 30-year-old doctor, was the first person to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Tripura on Saturday as the state joined the rest of the country in rolling out the vaccination programme.
The vaccination programme in the state began at 17 sites across eight districts, officials said.
Total 1,399 health workers received the Covishield vaccine on the first day.
Tripura has received 56,500 doses of the vaccine. After receiving the first shot, Dr Das, serving at a government hospital in Mohanpur in the West Tripura district, told reporters that initially he was tensed but eventually everything went on fine.
He said that the government has taken the initiative of the vaccination programme after many examinations, so there is no reason to doubt.
Maharashtra Stops Vaccinations Till Monday Over Issues With Centre's App
Maharashtra has suspended COVID-19 vaccinations till Monday because of technical issues with the centre's software platform for managing the programme, news agency ANI reported on Saturday.
The CoWIN application, being used to tally beneficiaries, had thrown up glitches through the day, slowing the inoculation process in places, officials said at the end of the first day of India's colossal vaccination drive on Saturday.
On the first day of the immunisation campaign, the government said it aimed to vaccinate over 3 lakh people at over 3,000 vaccination centres established around the country. By the end of the day 1.91 lakh had been inoculated, it said.
Keep a check on rumours, disinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines: Harsh Vardhan to states
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked his counterparts in states and union territories to keep a check on rumours and disinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines as he held a review meeting on day one of the inoculation drive on Saturday.
According to a statement, Mr Vardhan congratulated authorities in states and UTs on the successful launch of the world's largest vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus, and asked state health ministers to make efforts to disseminate the right information regarding vaccines.
He said today is a very important day for the country.
The vaccination drive, for which preparations were being done from the last five months under the unwavering and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has finally started, he said.
60 Healthworkers Get Vaccine Jab At Pune Hospital
As many as 60 healthcare workers were administered COVID-19 vaccine at Aundh rural district hospital, one of the 31 vaccination centres in Maharashtra's Pune district on Saturday, an official said.
According to the district administration, none of the beneficiaries, including doctors, nurses and other staff, experienced any side effects to Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech.
While at least 100 healthcare workers were expected to receive the jab, 40 did not turn up for vaccination due to various reasons, Pune district civil surgeon Dr Ashok Nandapurkar said.
"Till the end of the day, 60 healthcare workers were given Covaxin and all of them are keeping well and no side effects have been reported," he said, adding that absentees will be covered in subsequent sessions.
Army's northern command joins nationwide COVID vaccination drive
The Udhampur-based Northern Command of the Army on Saturday joined the online launch of vaccination drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The drive will primarily commence with vaccination of healthcare workers deployed in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, a defence spokesperson said in a statement.
He said a total of over 12,000 health workers are required to be vaccinated in a progressive manner.
"Vaccines are being accordingly collected from the designated centers. Nodal officers have been nominated in respect of the command hospital, military hospitals, base hospitals, garrison, field hospitals and advanced dressing stations," the spokesperson said, adding that all protocols would be followed.
A look at what Covaxin consent formAs India's vaccination drive began today with Covid shots to health workers, those receiving Bharat Biotech's Covaxin were asked to sign consent forms that assured compensation if any adverse effect was found linked to the vaccine.
Only recipients of Covaxin have to sign a consent form before being vaccinated because its use has been allowed by the government in "clinical trial mode". Among those who received the shot after signing the form were AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria, vaccine committee chief and NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul and his wife Dr Shashi Paul, a scientist.
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If Centre fails to provide vaccine, Delhi govt will give it free: Satyendra Jain
The Delhi Government hopes that the central government would vaccinate people against COVID-19 for free, if not, the Delhi government would give the vaccine to people in the metropolis for free, informed Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI while his visit to Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, the Delhi Minister said, "The vaccination drive has started at 81 centres in the national capital and 100 people would get their first of the two doses at each centre. There is a target to get 8100 people vaccinated towards the end of the day."
"The number of vaccination centres in Delhi will be increased to 215 and we will eventually increase it to 1000 centres. This will depend on the speed the vaccine will be supplied to the metropolis," Mr Jain said.
Indian vaccine will work as ''sanjeevani'' in fight against COVID-19: Harsh Vardhan
The Indian vaccine will work as ''sanjeevani'' in the fight against COVID-19, said Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday. The Minister joined the doctors and potential vaccine beneficiaries at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to witness the launch of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination, where a sanitation worker becomes the first person to receive the vaccine.
Addressing the media he said that misinformation is being spread about the vaccines and urged the media to help in dispelling the rumours.
Total 3,351 sessions in the country today: Health MinistryThere were 3,351 sessions carried out in the entire country. There were 11 states where both vaccines were used-Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Maha, Odisha, Rajastha, TN, Telangana, UP. '
While the states where only Covishield was used were - Andaman, Andhra, AP, Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Dadra nagar, Goa, Gujarta, HP, J&K, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Kashdweep, Manipur, Nagaland, Puddcherry, PB, Sikkim, tripura, WB, Uttarakhand.
Total personnel involved in the drive - 16755; Total vaccines: 165714.
"Vaccine More Effective If Longer Gap Between Doses": Serum To NDTV
The efficacy of the Covishield vaccine goes up if the gap between two doses is more than 28 days, a top scientist at Adar Poonawalla's Serum Institute of India (SII) said Friday, a day before the launch of India's Covid vaccination drive.
Both the vaccines being used in India - Serum's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin - are two dose shots with a prescribed gap of 28 days between the jabs.
Suresh Jadhav, executive director, SII, said results were much better when this gap was increased by a few weeks.
Healthcare workers vouch for safety of COVID-19 vaccine in Madhya Pradesh
Many healthcare and sanitation workers in Madhya Pradesh who became first recipients of COVID-19 jabs on Saturday expressed confidence that the vaccine will defeat the pandemic and help save many lives while a sanitary worker from Gwalior asked people to repose their faith in Indian scientists.
Asha Pawar (55), a health worker who became the first person to receive the vaccine in Indore's Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, said she had no apprehensions about the safety of the vaccine and hoped that it will prove helpful in saving lives of people.
Sanitation worker takes first jab as COVID-19 vaccination drive begins in Ladakh
A sanitation worker at a hospital was the first person to be administered COVID-19 vaccine in the Union Territory of Ladakh where Lt Governor R K Mathur inaugurated the first phase of the inoculation drive on Saturday.
Ladakh has recorded 128 COVID-19 related deaths and a total virus caseload of 9,646 since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year. As many as 9,404 patients have recovered from the infection, while the rest 114 are undergoing treatment.
"I am feeling lucky": Man after getting first COVID jab in Goa
Ranganath Bhojje, a 43-year-old multitasking (MTS) worker at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) who became the first person in Goa to get the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, said he was happy to get the jab and was hoping for the best.
Mr Bhojje has been working at the special facility created to treat COVID-19 patients here as an MTS staff.
After he walked out of the observation room at the GMCH, Mr Bhojje was greeted with flowers by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Wait for your turn to get vaccinated, beware of rumours: Yogi Adityanath to people
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asked the people to remain alert for rumours regarding COVID-19 vaccines and wait for their turn to get themselves vaccinated.
Healthcare workers at the frontline of India's COVID-19 battle got their first jabs on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the world's largest vaccination drive against the pandemic.
Chief Minister Adityanath took a round of the Balrampur Hospital here and met the health workers who were administered vaccines to enquire about their well-being.
"Today is a day of immense happiness and excitement. India is the first country which has launched two vaccines," the chief minister said.
Telangana Minister Decides Against Taking First Covid Shot After PM WarningTelangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender, who had declared he would take the first vaccine shot in his state, did not do so today citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "strict instruction" that health workers should be first in line.
Yesterday, the minister had said he would take the first shot to instill confidence among people who still had apprehensions on safety of the vaccines.
But a sanitation worker, Krishnamma, became the first in Telangana to get the Covid vaccine. "I appeal to all to go ahead and take the vaccine. I was also a little apprehensive but doctors reassured me and the health minister too told me not to worry. I so far have no symptoms," she said, holding flowers given by Gandhi Hospital, where she received the jab.
Read "Will Prefer Covishield Over Covaxin": Delhi Hospital Doctors ConcernedResident doctors at one of Delhi's biggest healthcare hubs, the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, today demanded they be administered Covishield vaccine and not Covaxin since the former has completed all three stages of trials as required under protocol. The second one, produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, is still only undergoing stage-III trials. The central government has, however, sought to underplay such apprehensions saying "a lot of work" had gone into the development of both products.
The resident doctors of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have even said they might not participate in huge numbers if Covaxin is used.
Read AIIMS Director reassures people COVAXIN vaccine is safe
Urging the people to have faith in India's researchers, scientists, regulatory authorities, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Singh Guleria on Saturday reassured the nation that Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN vaccine is safe.
"I want to reassure everyone that the vaccine (COVAXIN) is safe. It is efficacious. We have to vaccinate a huge number of people prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection and therefore we can't start being very choosy. We must have confidence in our researchers, scientists, and regulatory authorities," he said while answering a question regarding the efficiency of Bharat Biotech's vaccine.
Dr Guleria along with NITI Aayog member VK Paul were administered the COVID-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS Delhi on the inaugural day of the nationwide roll-out of vaccination on Saturday.
World's Largest Vaccination Drive In NumbersNearly a year after India reported its first case of coronavirus from Kerala, the "start of the end of the pandemic", as Health Minister Harsh Vardhan described it on Friday, began this morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the nationwide rollout. The government aims to vaccinate 1 crore healthcare workers and 2 crore frontline workers in the first phase.
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Rajnath Singh lauds scientists, PM Modi for COVID-19 vaccination drive
As India started its vaccination drive against the coronavirus, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appreciated country's scientists and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his persistence and determination in the development and inoculation process of the vaccine.
"Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken decisive steps towards conquering the corona crisis by launching the biggest vaccination campaign not only in India but the whole world. In the first phase, it has been resolved to bring the vaccine to three crore people," Mr Singh tweeted, along with the hashtag #LargestVaccineDrive
"The whole country is appreciative of the scientists who have played a role in preparing India's indigenous vaccine against corona. The persistence and determination with which Prime Minister Modi steered the country, right from the creation of the vaccine to the inoculation campaign, no matter how much we praise him for this, it will not be enough," he added.
Bhutan PM congratulates India for launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19
Thimphu [Bhutan], January 16 (ANI): Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for the launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive on Saturday.
"I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for the landmark launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today," Tshering said in a Facebook post.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi kicked off the vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus via video conferencing
World seeing ''self-reliant India,'' says Yogi Adityanath on Covid vaccination launch
The Covid-19 vaccination drive will show to the world the potential of self-reliant India, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while hailing the massive exercise as historic.
"A nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign is starting from today under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This historic campaign will prove to be a decisive step taken by ''Self-reliant India'' to protect against Corona. Thank you, Prime Minister," Yogi Adityanath said in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched India's vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus via video conferencing.
Healthcare worker first in Indore to get vaccine shot against COVID-19
Healthcare worker Asha Pawar was the first person to get a vaccine shot against COVID-19 in Indore. She was administered the vaccine jab at the MY Hospital here.
After the launch of India's COVID-19 vaccination drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MY Hospital was the first in Indore to start vaccinating people. State Minister Tulsi Silavat, MP Shankar Lalwani, MLA Mahendra Hardia were also present there on the occasion.
Besides MY Hospital, four others including Aurobindo Hospital, Rajshri Apollo, Bombay Hospital, and ESIC began the vaccination drive.
100 healthcare workers at each hospital will be administered the vaccine.
Coronavirus Vaccine: Special Rangoli At Pune Hospital To Welcome People The staff at a hospital in Pune made beautiful rangoli at the entrance of the health centre where coronavirus vaccine was launched on Saturday. The blue and white rangolis, with floral patters and 'Welcome' written in the centre, were drawn by nurses to welcome those who will take the COVID-19 vaccine on the launch day. "I am relieved that the COVID-19 vaccine is finally out. The paramedical staff is very happy. I will get the shot of Covaxin today," new agency ANI quoted a hospital staff as saying.
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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat witnesses vaccine administration and interacts with the beneficiaries at Doon Medical College in Dehradun.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan shows a dose of COVAXIN developed by Bharat Biotech at AIIMS, Delhi.
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria receives COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS, Delhi.
A sanitation worker becomes the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is also present.
Puspa Kumari has become the first in Andhra Pradesh to receive the vaccine.
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Here are the highlights of PM Modi's address:
- For so many months in every household had one question when will the vaccine come? Now it is here. In very less time.
- In just a few minutes, India will launch the world's largest vaccination drive.
- I congratulate everyone. Those related to its development deserve special applause.
- They didn't see festivals, day or night. They dedicated themselves.
- In general, vaccines take years to develop. But now we have two Made-In-India vaccines. This is an evidence of India's scientific progress and talent.
- Our vaccine developers have a global credibility.
- Life-saving vaccines given to 60% children globally are given shots made in India.
- These Indian vaccines are very cheap in comparison to the other global vaccines. Some of theose vaccines cost Rs 5,000 and need -70 degree storage temp.
- India's vaccines are developed in a way keeping in mind the conditions of the country. They will give "nirnayak jeet" to country.
- Our fight against Covid was based on atmanirbharta and atma vishwas.
- However big the crisis, Indians didn't lose atma vishwas.
- When Covid hit India, we had 1 lab. Now 2300.
- We were importing masks, PPE kits and ventilators. But now we are not just producing them for the country but also exporting them.
- We should be of help to others. Country is made of people and not water, bricks, etc.
- When we look at the past year, as an individual, family and country, we have learnt a lot.
- I want to remember those days on a day we are starting the vaccination - sankat ka daur.
- Generally, whole family stands with bimaar person. But this bimaari separated and isolated people.
- Mothers cried looking at their ailing children but couldn't hold them. Old fathers fought the disease in the hospitals alone. Children couldn't help them.
- Last rites could not be performed in many cases.
- But in times of that crisis and atmosphere of despair, some were giving us hope.
- They were putting themselves at risk to save us - Doctors, Nurse, para medics, ambulance driver, ASHA workers, Safai karmachari, police and other frontline workers - they prioritised their duty towards humanity. They stayed away from their families and childrens, stayed away from their homes for days.
- Hundreds never returned home.
- They sacrificed their lives to save lives. So today, by vaccinating the healthcare workers first, society is in a way paying their debts.
- In the history of mankind, many crises came, pandemics came, WWs came but no one ever thought of a pandemic akin to this.
- Science or society was not prepared for this.
- Pictures coming out of various parts of the world made Indian vichalit.
- We made this our strength.
- India made samvedanshilta its strength.
- The first case was found in India on Jan 30. But 2 weeks prior to that, India had already formed a high-level coming. Jan 17, 2020 was when India had issued the first advisory.
- India was one of the first countries to start screening passengers at airport.
- The willpower and courage and samyuik shakti shown by Indians will be remembered.
- Janata Curfew was a test of our patience. It prepared the country for a lockdown. With taali-thali-diya, we kept our spirits high.
- The best way to curb the spread was to ensure people remain where they were. So lockdown was necessary.
- It was not easy. Keeping such a huge population at home. What impact it will have on economy and livelihoods, we had them.
- But we prioritised "jaan hain toh jahan hain".
- We saw how quickly the whole country stood by this principles.
- I have spoken directly to the Indians from time to time during this time.
- We ensured supply of essential items. Gave food to the poor for free. Home Ministry set up helpline to answer people's questions.
- At a time when countries left their citizens in China at the peak of the pandemic, we repatriated them. Over 35 lakh Indians were brought back by Vande Bharat.
- When a country fell short of testing kits and labs, India set up its lab to test Indians before they boarded flights to India.
- All sectors came together to work together - Forces-ISRO-DRDO-farmers everyone worked together with the same sankalp.
- India's Covid deaths is very less and recoveries more.
- In many districts, no one died of coronavirus. They have recovered.
- In over 150 countries, we supplied essential medical supplies - paracetamol, HCQ, testing kits, etc.
- Even now, the world is looking at India for the vaccines.
- India's vaccine and our production strength should help humanity.
- This drive will now continue for long. So now to become a part of this exercise, volunteers are coming ahead.
- Masks, 2-gaz-ki-doori, and safai will remain necessary even after vaccination.
- New pran: Dawaai bhi, kadai bhi.
- You all stay healthy - with this I extend my best wishes.
- Congratulate those who spent their lives in the labs to develop the vaccine.
- May you all be safe! Thank you so much!
JustIn| PM Modi launches Covid vaccination drive, 3 lakh to receive shots today
Dr Harshvardhan arrives at AIIMS. Heads to vaccination site
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally mounts to 1,17,480, number of deaths rises to 1,049
Jharkhand reported one more fatality due to COVID-19, pushing the death toll to 1,049, while the tally mounted to 1,17,480 with 96 fresh cases, a health department official said.
The death was reported from state capital Ranchi, he said late on Friday.
It also registered the maximum number of fresh cases at 33, followed by East Singhbhum (17) and Palamu (11).
Jharkhand now has 1,289 active coronavirus cases, while 1,15,142 people have recovered from the disease so far, the official said.
Sadar Hospital in Ranchi all set for the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination drive.
JustIn| Coronavirus: 15,158 new cases in India, marginally lower than yesterday; 1.05 crore total cases so far, 1.5 lakh deaths
Preparations for the vaccination drive at the district hospital, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.
Thane district sees 297 new COVID-19 cases
With the addition of 297 fresh coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, the overall infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,48,809, an official said on Saturday.
The death toll in the district, which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR), rose to 6,049 with the viral disease claiming lives of six more persons, he said.
Thane district's mortality rate stands at 2.43 per cent, the official added.
He said 2,38,678 patients have recovered from COVID-19 disease so far in Thane district, which took the recovery rate to 95.93 per cent. The number of active cases is 4,082.
BHU Hospital in Varanasi decorated with balloons ahead of Covid-19 vaccine drive.
Visual from COVID-19 vaccination centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will visit AIIMS to witness the launch of the vaccination programme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10.30 am.
Area Hospital, Nampally in Hyderabad has been decorated with flowers and balloons ahead of the start of the first phase of nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Mizoram reports 4 new COVID-19 cases
Mizoram reported four new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, said the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Mizoram.
The total count for COVID-19 cases in the state has jumped to 4,314 including 80 active cases.
As per state government data, 4,225 people have been discharged in the state after recovering from the infection.
However, no new deaths were reported making the total deaths in the state stand at nine.
Out of the four new cases, one was reported via the TrueNat test and three through the RT-PCR test.
The first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive is scheduled to start today.
Karnataka all set for Covid-19 vaccination rollout
Six locations apart from Victoria Hospital in Karnataka's Bengaluru have been identified for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme scheduled on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Special Commissioner said that apart from Victoria Hospital, six other locations identified as a coronavirus vaccine centre.
"Apart from Victoria Hospital, we have identified six other sites for launch of COVID-19 vaccination drive tomorrow. We have sent vaccines to each vaccination site and sent a message to beneficiaries receiving the vaccine," the Commissioner said.
In Kalaburagi district, eight vaccination centres for Covid-19 have been set up and all arrangements of the vaccination rollout have been made, according to the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
Madhya Pradesh Covid-19 vaccination drive at 150 centres today
Over 4.16 lakh health workers will be administered the Covid-19 vaccine from Saturday onwards in Madhya Pradesh, the state''s health minister Dr Prabhuram Choudhary said.
Vaccination will be conducted at 150 centers in the state as part of the countrywide inoculation drive that will be launched today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"In the first week, 57,000 health workers will be vaccinated and 50,000 in the second week," Dr Choudhary said while speaking to ANI on Friday.
Jabalpur Collector Karmveer Sharma said that the vaccination drive will be conducted at seven sites in the district today.
Coronavirus Vaccines Explained: How The Two Shots Launching In India WorkIndia on Saturday will launch one of the world's biggest vaccination programmes with vaccines manufactured in the country - one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the other by Bharat Biotech International with a state-run institute. First to get the vaccine will be 3 crore health and other frontline workers, followed by about 27 crore older than 50 or considered high-risk. Here is a look at the technology behind the two drugs that will be given out.
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Coronavirus Vaccine: Sanitation Workers Among First To Get Covid Vaccine At Goa HospitalSanitation workers who attend to COVID-19 wards at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) would be among the first to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine in Goa as a nationwide inoculation drive starts on Saturday.
GMCH Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar said they have selected 100 sanitation workers attached to the hospital, including those hired through a private firm, for receiving the first doses of vaccine in the state.
These workers have been attending to COVID-19 wards of GMCH, he said.
Coronavirus news: Dozen Doctors In Assam To Volunteer For Vaccine Shots TodayA dozen doctors in Assam have volunteered to take the first vaccine shots today at the Gauhati Medical College to dispel rumours about the Covid vaccine and encourage their fraternity as the country gears up for the the world's biggest inoculation drive against the deadly coronavirus.
Assam has registered 2.9 lakh frontline healthcare workers for the first phase of the vaccination drive, of whom 1.9 lakh will be inoculated today.
The state has received 2.21 lakh doses of Covid vaccines so far. This includes over 2 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine and 20 thousand doses of Covaxin indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech.
Coronavirus news: India Starts Vaccinations TodayThe nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10:30 am today, setting off India on the path towards overcoming the pandemic that has upended lives, ravaged the economy and unleashed unprecedented suffering over the last 12 months.
One of the world's biggest vaccination programmes aimed at inoculating 3 crore health and other frontline workers first, it will use shots manufactured in India - one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the other by Bharat Biotech with the country's top clinical research body.