Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is working on two or three possible vaccines.
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned the nation against any lax surveillance against coronavirus ahead of the holiday season, saying that all security measures must be observed until a vaccine for the contagion is found. In a special address to the nation as the festival season begins, Prime Minister Modi said: “Until the moment we receive the vaccine, we cannot be absolutely complacent about the pandemic.”
India, he said, is working on two or three possible vaccines and “we are doing everything we can to get a vaccine, just like the rest of the world.”
“I want to let you know that once we get a vaccine, everyone will get it in a planned, gradual and fast way,” he added.
“Until such time as we don’t get the vaccine, if we behave a little irresponsibly, we can harm ourselves and everyone around us. Wear masks, keep ‘Do gaz ki doori (six foot distance), wash your hands regularly, use sanitizers and don’t venture outside unless absolutely necessary, “he added.
On Sunday, the Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan said that two companies, the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, are expected to begin late-stage clinical trials of their vaccines after receiving approval.
A day earlier, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and Russia’s Direct Investment Fund said they had received new approval for clinical trials of the Russian vaccine.
Last week, Prime Minister Modi suggested that preparations for the distribution of the Covid vaccine should be as thorough as any election.
Access to the vaccine must be “rapid” for all members of the population. He also asked officials to test logistics, including cold storage, monitoring clinics, and to keep supplies of ancillary equipment such as syringes ready.
Data from the Health Ministry shows that coronavirus numbers have been declining in the past two weeks, falling to less than 50,000 in the past 24 hours for the first time in three months. However, a central medical panel warned that an increase can be expected with the festival season and the onset of winter if there is any laxness in enforcing security measures.
It can be as much as “up to 26 lakh of cases in a month,” the committee said, adding that only 30 percent of the population have developed immunity so far.
The committee said its apprehensions are borne out by the situation in Kerala, where a sharp rise in daily Covid numbers was seen after the recent Onam festival. The peak began on September 8, days after the Onam celebrations that ran from August 22 to September 2.
PM Modi observed today that with the start of the holiday season, people have relaxed their vigilance regarding COVID-19. “The videos show that people are being irresponsible and not taking the recommended actions to a great extent. This cannot happen,” he said.
“We should not think that things are normal again. You, your families, children and the elderly in your home are putting yourself in grave danger by not taking the proper precautions,” added the Prime Minister.
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