Updated: October 17, 2020 8:57:01 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Proceedings)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and suggested developing a vaccine delivery system in line with conducting surveys and disaster management, while involving at all levels of government and citizen groups. He also called for complete preparation to ensure rapid access to COVID-19 vaccines for all citizens.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also said that three vaccines are in advanced stages of development in India, of which two are in Phase II and one in Phase III. The statement added that Indian scientists and research teams are collaborating and strengthening research capacities in neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Today’s review meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, PM Senior Secretary, NITI Member (Health) Aayog, Senior Scientific Advisor, senior scientists, PMO officials and officials from various other departments .
The National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), in consultation with state governments and all relevant stakeholders, has prepared and submitted a detailed vaccine storage, distribution and administration plan, the government said.
Furthermore, he said that two pan-Indian studies on the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) genome in India conducted by the ICMR and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) suggest that the virus is genetically stable and there is no major mutation in the virus.
The number of COVID-19 cases in India has exceeded 74 lakh, while the number of people who have recovered from the disease has exceeded 65 lakh, bringing the recovery rate to 87.78%, according to data updated by the Union Ministry of Health on Saturday.
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