Page 9 - NIS English February1-15

W ords fall short for describing such a historic success. The achievement

becomes even more significant as for the last 10 months, people from all
age groups were restricted in their movement. The launch of the vaccine
is a dream come true for the country. India developed two indigenous
vaccines, turning crisis into an opportunity.
Taking steps to protect lives and then giving a push to the economic
activity, Government has taken well planned initiatives. Now India is
standing at a decisive point in this journey. It is not just serving its own
people but other countries in the world too, to protect lives.

Dry run to assess operational feasibility

To ensure a smooth vaccination
drive, India conducted dry run in How the system geared up for
all States and Union Territories. vaccination with training:
In 736 districts dry run was India started the world‘s largest
conducted in 3 phases vaccination drive from January 16.

In each district, dry run was conducted at least at For this, the Government held at
n least 26 virtual meetings with the
three locations. They included public health facilities, States
private hospitals and rural or urban outreaching
centres 2,360 61,000
Under the supervision of District Collectors the dry run
n Master Trainers Programme
was conducted at State, district and block level hospitals were trained managers
so that the authorities are aware about their roles and
responsibilities 02 3.7

Lakh Lakh helping teams
Dry runs were also conducted to assess operational vaccinators for vaccination
n
feasibility in the use of Co-WIN application in the field
environment Each helping team includes one
vaccinator and four helpers

January 16, 2021, would be etched as a 38.5 Lakh doses are being purchased at Rs 295
watershed moment in history, when India per dose, and the remaining 16.5 Lakh doses
launched the world’s largest vaccination are being provided free of cost. So the average
drive against the deadly virus COVID-19. The price of the second vaccine will come to be
campaign was launched by the Prime Minister Rs 206 to the Government.
in over 3,000 vaccination centres across all the
States. The Government has moved ahead with INDIA BECOMES HOPE FOR THE WORLD
full preparedness. For this, the Government Around 60 per cent of the world’s vaccines are
has purchased 110 Lakh doses of Covishield made in India. The country has the experience of
from Serum Institute of India, Pune, at Rs 200 giving 65 Crore vaccines to children and pregnant
per dose. 55 Lakh doses of Covaxin have been women every year. India is leading among the
purchased from Bharat Biotech. Out of these, countries producing vaccines. The world has

New India Samachar 7