According to the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr Ashutosh Sharma, Modi government’s COVID-19 immunization plan to vaccinate all Indains by December 31, 2021 is ‘attainable’.
Many critics of the Central government have called this plan as ‘ambitious’ in nature.
Dr Sharma told the ANI and the Republic:
“In terms of technology, we are totally prepared for the third wave and would get even better as we go forward this year. Our vaccination plan to innoculate all citizens of the country by December is not only ambitious but also realistic.”
He also noted that with the help of emerging science-based start-ups and technologies in India, the fight against the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic can be won.
In addition, Modi government aims to ramp up production to cope with the COVID19 pandemic.
It aims to produce two billion doses between August and December 2021.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said in a statement:
“Between August and December 2021, India will have procured 216 crore vaccine doses, while by July this year, 51 crore doses will be procured.”
Right now, three vaccines have been approved for use in India – Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V.
All the states have been asked to follow the basic principles of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour.
This includes testing, tracking, tracing, treating and now vaccinating to fight against the pandemic.
