Page 39 - NIS 01-15 JAN 2022 English

War Against COVID 19

New India's enviable record campaign has become an example for the world
today. Not only this, India's vaccination campaign
has crossed another milestone and more than
More than
The first dose of the
55% COVID vaccine has been 50 percent of the eligible population in India has
been fully vaccinated. As part of the nationwide
86%
of the eligible administered to immunization drive, the Central Government
population were is extending full support to the States and
given both doses of Union Territories by providing them free COVID
the COVID vaccine. of the people. vaccines. Also, drones were used for the first
Over Himachal Pradesh time to ensure the delivery of the Covid vaccine to
became the first state the general public. At present, ICMR's 'i-Drone' is
138crore to achieve being used in Manipur, Nagaland, and Andaman
doses have been Nicobar Islands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
administered across 100%
the country. This is the says, 'If the people of India are determined to do
highest in the world. vaccination something, then nothing is impossible for them'.
VACCINE MAITRI - INDIA'S LIFELINE TO THE WORLD Following the mantra of 'Sabke Prayas', Himachal
India started providing vaccine doses to other has become the first state to provide 100% of
countries from January 20, 2021, under the Vaccine both doses to its adult population due to the hard
Maitri Program. work of health workers.
The Vaccine Maitri Program was once again started THE DANGER IS NOT AVERTED, CAUTION IS NECESSARY
on October 14, 2021. Under this, one million vaccine Under the world's largest Covid vaccination
doses each were provided to Nepal, Myanmar, Iran, campaign being run in India, more than 138 crore
and Bangladesh. Presently 'Made in India' is being vaccine doses have been administered so far.
exported to 96 countries. There are only two ways to prevent Covid. One
vaccination, and the other protection. We have
to remember that the threat of Covid is not over
yet. In such a situation, along with vaccination,
preventive measures should also be taken and
the use of masks and covid proper behavior must
be followed.
INCREASE SURVEILLANCE - WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said
that the new variant of Covid, Omicron, has
reached 63 countries and its infection rate is
higher than the delta variant. The WHO also
said that it is not yet clear why the new variant
is spreading so rapidly. The Omicron variant
Even in the dire situation of Covid, the of Corona was detected in South Africa on 24
country has crossed the figure of more November last month. Meanwhile, the Indian
than 100 crores of Covid vaccine doses government is constantly keeping an eye on the
and now we are moving fast towards situation and monitoring it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal,
150 crores. The news of the new variant WHO's regional director for Southeast Asia,
spreading fast also makes us more alert. believes that a new variant doesn't mean that
The best health of all, the best health of things will be worse, but definitely, they will be
each countryman is our priority in this more uncertain. In such a situation, the pandemic
hour of crisis. is still around and we should be careful. At the
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister same time surveillance and the public health
system should be strengthened.

New India Samachar January 1-15, 2022 37