PANAJI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for both safety and speed in vaccine distribution, in a review of meeting of Covid preparations of seven States including Goa.
In a virtual meeting, Modi asked State governments to work out logistics and modalities for administering Covid vaccine saying, "whichever vaccine India gives its citizens will be safe on all scientific standards".
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who participated in the virtual meet disclosed that "while there is no fixed date for the launch of the vaccine, States have been asked to be prepared as it can happen any time after January".
Sawant said the health workers and Covid warriors would be the first to be vaccinated. The vaccine will then be given to people above the age of 65 years and those suffering from co-morbid conditions.
Modi said, "priority is to make vaccine available for all. States should put in the necessary mechanism including cold storage".
While the overall countrywide figure has dropped below 50,000 for several days now, the situation in certain states -- including Delhi -- has given rise to concern. There is a need to increase testing, he said.
Warning the states not to let any laxity creep in, PM asked them to work towards bringing the positive rate to less than 5 per cent and the fatality rate to under 1 per cent.
"We need to speed up efforts. Testing, confirmation, contact tracing and data must be given top priority," he said.
