Coronavirus : World’s largest vaccination drive begins in India

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16^th January launched India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, the world’s largest inoculation exercise against coronavirus. In a virtual address, PM Modi paid tribute to scientists and healthcare workers, who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. “Amid the crisis and the atmosphere of despair, someone was transmitting hope by putting his life on the line to save us,” he said.

India will administer shots to 3 crore frontline workers in phase one. There are 3,006 session sites across the country, where 100 beneficiaries each will be given either of India’s 2 indigenous vaccines – Covaxin or Covishield. Every beneficiary will need to receive 2 doses of the same vaccine, 28 days apart.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reviewed the working of CoWIN, the Online digital platform developed by the Ministry to be used to drive the vaccination programme.