India offers jabs to diplomats, families
■ 16.13L healthcare, frontline workers have received vaccine
The Indian government on Sunday offered vaccination against Covid-19 to foreign diplomats posted in India. Embassies have been asked to give the names of diplomats and their family members who want to be vaccinated by Friday though no dates for their vaccination has been given so far.
Over 16.13 lakh healthcare and frontline workers have been vaccinated till date. On Sunday, the ninth day of the vaccination drive, 31,466 people were vaccinated in five states.
Union health ministry officials said 10 cases of Adverse Effect From Immunisation (AEFI) were reported on Sunday. India on Sunday reported 14,849 cases of Covid-19 and 155 deaths.
In the coming week the government plans to intensify its immunisation coverage to complete its target of inoculating 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers well in time so that the vaccination drive for the rest of the population can be rolled out.
It is expected that the diplomatic missions will be covered in the second phase.
In a letter to all diplomatic missions, the ministry of external affairs said that “as a gesture of goodwill and solidarity,” the Government of India is considering to offer Covid-19 vaccination to “eligible foreign diplomats and their family members” accredited to all diplomatic missions, including consulates, United Nations and its specialised agencies, and other international organisations based in India.
“The vaccination would be on a voluntary basis, and in accordance with the phased plan of domestic rollout… The modalities, including time-frame and venues etc of this proposed vaccination programme for diplomats/officials and their family members, are being worked out,” the MEA said in its letter.
The diplomatic staff who want to take the vaccine have to inform if they and their family members fall in the age group of 50 years and above or 18-50 years while specifying if they have any co-morbidity.
It has been clarified that this vaccination drive will cover only foreign diplomats and their family members. Local Indian staff will not be included. MEA said the local staff of embassies and UN etc will be covered under ongoing domestic vaccination meant for Indian citizens.