Modi takes home-grown Covaxin shot
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inoculated with the first dose of a home-grown coronavirus vaccine, kicking off an expansion of the country’s immunisation campaign that began in mid-January with healthcare workers.
People above 60, and those who are 45 or more and suffering from certain medical conditions, are now eligible for the vaccinations.
“Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against Covid-19,” Modi said on Twitter, posting a picture of him getting the shot at a government hospital in New Delhi.
“I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India Covid-19 free!”
The country of nearly 1.4 billion people started one of the world’s largest vaccination drives in January, but the rollout has been sluggish.
New coronavirus infections are increasing again after months of consistent decline, and scientists have detected worrisome variants of the virus that they fear could hasten infections or render vaccines or treatments less useful.
Vaccinating more people is a priority, with India’s Health Ministry on Sunday urging states “not to lower their guard” and “squander away the gains of the collective hard work of the last year”.
India has recorded more than 11 million cases, second in the world behind the United States, with over 157,000 deaths in the country from Covid-19.
The government said last week it would let people choose their vaccination centres, effectively letting beneficiaries pick either the homegrown Covaxin shot or the AstraZeneca vaccine, unlike earlier.