Over 61% of India’s population vaccinated with both doses but Covid isn’t past us yet: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that over 61 percent of the Indian population had received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Today, more than 61 percent of the adult population of India received both doses of the vaccine. Likewise, around 90 percent of the adult population have received a single dose of the vaccine, “said Prime Minister Modi.

Meanwhile, he also announced the expansion of India’s vaccination program to include teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 while providing a precautionary dose of vaccine for health care workers and frontline workers and those over 60 with comorbidities.

READ: Vaccine for 15 to 18 year olds from January 3rd, booster for Corona warriors from January 10th: clock

PM Modi reached out to the nation at 9.45pm, saying the vaccines would be launched for teenagers from Jan 3rd, while the booster would be available Jan 10th.

Vaccination for children aged 15 to 18 will begin on January 3, he said. Those with comorbidities who are over 60 on the recommendation of their doctors will be entitled to precautionary doses starting January 10 next year, he added.

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The prime minister said while people prepare to greet the New Year with hope and celebration, it is also time to be careful as the highly contagious variant of Omicron is rapidly driving Covid-19 infections.

He appealed to people not to panic but to be careful and vigilant. “Use masks and wash your hands regularly,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi assured citizens that all possible preparations are being made to combat the increasing infections. He listed the number of hospital beds, available oxygen beds, and vaccination progress.

“Covid is not over yet. It is very important to be careful,” he said.

“Today the nation has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen-assisted beds, 1.4 lakh intensive care beds, and 90,000 specialty beds for children. Today we have over 3,000 functional PSA oxygen systems and 4 lakh oxygen cylinders have been made available to all states,” he said.

“In addition to vaccine research, we have also worked on approval processes, supply chains, sales, training, IT support systems and certification. With these efforts, India started vaccinating its citizens on January 16 this year, ”he said.

Reading | Vaccine for 15 to 18 year olds from January 3rd, booster for Corona warriors from January 10th: clock