NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nationwide covid immunisation drive via videoconferencing 10:30 am on Saturday.
“Everybody has been asking about when the vaccines would arrive. It is here now. I congratulate all citizens on this occasion,” said PM in his inaugural address. Development of other vaccines too is progressing at fast pace, he added.
Vaccinations are taking place at 3,006 centres across the country. Roughly 100 persons on an average would be inoculated at each of these places, where the procedures are being overseen by Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network, the same teams that made vaccine deliveries across the states.
Covaxin on “clinical trial mode”
The vaccine from Serum Institute and that manufactured by Bharat Biotech are considered practically the same, said member Neethi Arogya, Dr. VK Paul.
Government sources maintained that since Covaxin - the candidate from Bharat Biotech - has not completed its phase-3 clinical trial, it has been placed as “stand by”. That claim contrasts with Dr. Paul’s statement to the media, where he said that the subjects do not have a choice as to the which shot they receive.
Incidentally recipients of Covaxin have to sign a consent form that assures them compensation if any adverse effect linked to the vaccine shows up later. Covaxin is being allowed currently by govt in “clinical trial mode” toward ‘public interest and is being offered under restricted use in an emergency situation.
