PM Modi address to Nation amid Covid 2nd wave: Highlights

New Delhi, June 07: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the central government will provide free coronavirus vaccine to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18 from June 21, and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the country in coming days.

PM Modi address to Nation amid Covid 2nd wave: Highlights

• Vaccination is like a protection shield against COVID-19
• The Centre has decided to buy 75 per cent of jabs from vaccine makers, including 25 per cent of the state quota, and give it for free to state governments.
• Private sector hospitals can continue to procure 25 per cent of vaccines, but their service charge would be capped at Rs 150 per dose over fixed price of the vaccine.
• Vaccine supply would be increased significantly in India in coming days.
• Seven companies are producing various vaccines against the coronavirus in the country and trial of three more vaccines is at an advanced stage.
• The process of procuring vaccines from companies of other countries has also been expedited.
• Trials of two vaccines are being carried out amid concerns expressed by experts recently over children being affected by the virus.
• Research is continuing on a nasal spray vaccine which, if successful, can significantly boost India''s vaccination drive.
• India proved its mettle by making two made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines in a short time.
• Over 23 crore doses have already been administered so far.
• Efforts are being made on a war-footing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at various levels and production of essential medicines was ramped up.
• India is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple fronts and new health infrastructure has been created across country
• India has gone through a lot of pain during this battle and many lost their loved ones.

Modi has addressed the nation a number of times since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, offering suggestions to people and outlining measures his government has been taking to deal with the situation.