NEW DELHI, Jan 9: India will launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16.
The decision, the Government said today, was taken at a high-level meeting where Modi reviewed the status of COVID-19 and vaccine preparedness across states and Union Territories.
“After the detailed review, it was decided that in view of the forthcoming festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu etc, the COVID-19 vaccination will start from 16th January 2021,” it said.
After healthcare and frontline workers, priority will be given to those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities, together numbering around 27 crore, a Government statement said.
India had recently granted emergency use authorisation to two vaccines, Oxford’s Covishield being manufactured by Serum Institute in India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Both vaccines, the statement from the Health Ministry said, have established safety and immunogenicity. (PTI)
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