Centre taking up Covid-19 vaccination in a big way: Harsh Vardhan

Our recovery, fatality rates indicate gradual victory against COVID: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan during video conferencing with Health Ministers of all states and UTs acknowledged contribution of volunteers for enrolling in clinical trials to make research of scientists successful. "We received success to an extent in our fight against COVID19, in one year. Data in last 3-4 months, our recovery and fatality rate indicate that we were gradually heading towards victory against COVID. To further speed this up, our scientists developed 2 indigenous vaccines with the support of our scientists, doctors, researchers, vaccine manufacturing industry and citizens of India who volunteered for clinical trials to make research of scientists successful," said Dr Harsh Vardhan in Delhi.

Watch: Harsh Vardhan, Delhi CM, others hail India's Covid vaccination drive

India's Covid-19 vaccination drive was launched by PM Modi on January 16, Saturday. Reactions from politicos across the country started pouring in soon after the launch. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the vaccine will work as 'sanjeevani' in the fight against Covid-19. Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat praised the vaccine drive. Leaders of various states and UTs also hailed the Covid vaccination drive. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged people not to pay heed to rumours over vaccine. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio expressed satisfaction and hope over the drive. Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said it was a 'moment of hope and honour'. Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering also congratulated PM Modi and the people of the country for the 'landmark' launch.

Covid vaccine: How many Indians got jab on Day 1? Govt reveals

At least 1,65,714 healthcare beneficiaries received COVID-19 jab on Saturday across India, marking it as a historic and biggest COVID-19 vaccination drive launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About 16,755 total vaccinators involved across India during the COVID vaccination drive. There was no post adverse event reported after the vaccination was administered to the people. "Total vaccinators involved across India were 16,755. Total beneficiaries vaccinated across India--1,65,714. COVID19 vaccination drive was successful on Day 1. No case of post-vaccination hospitalisation reported so far," said Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary of Union Health Ministry. "The Serum Institute of India (SII) produced COVISHIELD was supplied to all States and Union Territories (UT). Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN was supplied to 12 States. Total 3,351 sessions were held across the country with both the vaccines, said Health Ministry on COVID19 vaccine roll-out," he added. Watch the full video for more details.

First feeling, side-effects, doubts: Vaccinated doctors share experience

On Day 1 of India's Covid-19 vaccination, two doctors who took the shots shared their experience. Dr Atul Peters and Anil Dhar of Max hospital were given Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and SII-made Covishield jabs respectively. Both didn't experience any side-effects and said that doubts regarding the inoculants are unfounded. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee of Apollo hospital, who is set to receive a shot soon, also weighed in on the controversy regarding Covaxin and its third phase trials. Watch the full video for more.

Nepal: People cheers after approval of Covishield vaccine manufactured in India

After Nepal government approved emergency use of Covishield vaccine, people are hoping the pandemic will falter and human lives would be back on track. Nepal's Department of Drug Administration on Friday issued a release giving information on approving Covishield developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, which will be manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) in India. Drug regulating authority has also specified Serum Institute of India for importers provided with low cost in purchasing and delivery of vaccine to public. Approving the vaccine for conditional purpose, the department has also asked manufacturers or importers to get approval for registration in order to bring the vaccines. Nepal imposed nationwide and partial lockdown for most of 2020 with rise in imported cases which later took the form of local transmission spreading mostly in urban areas and major cities. The nationwide lockdown which started in March 2020 hampered daily life of people as well as businesses. They now expect to thrive with the approval of vaccine. Though the detailed inoculation plan of Nepal Government is yet to be disclosed, a total of 3 companies applied for approval to take steps forward with Serum Institute for import of vaccines. India has already made conditional emergency approval for Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute. Being one of the largest producers of vaccines at low cost, India has promised to provide vaccine to its neighbours in near future.

Covid: Dr VK Paul, AIIMS director urge people to trust researchers on vaccine

Urging the people to have faith in India's researchers, scientists, regulatory authorities, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Singh Guleria on Saturday reassured the nation that Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN vaccine is safe. Dr Guleria along with NITI Aayog member VK Paul were administered the COVID-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS Delhi on the inaugural day of the nationwide roll-out of vaccination on Saturday. Talking about the experience, he said, "I am humbled to get vaccinated in the first slot and feel so proud. I hope more and more people come forward when it comes to getting vaccinated so that we can reduce mortality and prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection." Dr VK Paul said that the vaccine is safe and people should trust the scientific process. Watch the full video for more details.