As different states started unlocking, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Monday and announced a change in vaccination policy.
PM Modi’s address comes at a time when India has been reporting a significant dip in COVID-19 cases and deaths prompting several states to reopen cautiously. PM’s last address to the nation was on April 20 where he had urged against imposition of lockdowns.
My address to the nation. Watch. https://t.co/f9X2aeMiBH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2021
PM Modi began his address to the nation expressing deepest condolences with families who have lost their loved ones due to the raging pandemic.
This is the biggest pandemic in the last 100 years. The pandemic of this scale wasn’t witnessed by the modern world, PM Modi said.
Talking of the marked increase in demand of medical oxygen, he outlined the proactive steps undertaken by the government to tide over his crisis on a war footing by utilizing our defence forces.
Stressing on the importance on safety measures, PM Modi said vaccines are our biggest shields against the pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM PM’S SPEECH
- The anti-COVID-19 protocol is the most important factor in the fight against this invisible virus. Vaccine is like a protection cover against this. Imagine what would have been the scenario if we didn’t have an India-made vaccine.
- Whether its polio or Hepatitis B, the country had to wait for decades. When the country gave us an opportunity in 2014, the vaccination coverage was only 60% then. It was a worrisome situation. As a solution for that, we launched Mission Indradhanush. We worked in mission-mode and in just 5-6 years, the vaccine coverage was increased from 60 to 90%.
- Whether they were ICU beds, ventilators, the health infrastructure was ramped up. During the second wave in April-May, there was an unbelievable demand for the medical oxygen. We run Oxygen expresses, IAF and Navy were involved, the production was increased tenfold.
- We have been fighting the second wave of the coronavirus. Like other countries, India went through a tumultuous time during this wave.
PM Modi’s Address To Nation On COVID-19 @PMOIndia @narendramodi #COVID19 #CoronavirusPandemic #PMModi #PMNarendraModi #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/pSJLN5UE7s
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) June 7, 2021
- Vaccines are like our shields against the pandemic
- Made in India vaccines a life saver
- New health infrastructure has been developed in 1.5 years
- We are not lagging behind anyone
- 23 crore vaccine doses have been given
- We have ramped up setting up of our hospitals
- We have accelerated process of buying vaccines from global firms
- Research on for nasal vaccines as well
- Within a year we had 2 Made In India vaccines
- Vaccine makers were given help at every level
- Trials being conducted for vaccines of children
- India decided to go ahead with vaccination in keeping with protocols mandated by WHO
- We gave priority to those who were more vulnerable to get the infection
- We agreed to demands for states as states started raising questions for states
PM Modi’s Address To Nation On COVID-19 @PMOIndia @narendramodi #COVID19 #CoronavirusPandemic #PMModi #PMNarendraModi #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/6EIaIxFKDe
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) June 7, 2021
- States wanted vaccination to be decentralised, we allowed states to take 25% of the work
- Vaccine supply will be increasing in the coming days. Seven companies in the country are producing different vaccines, 3 vaccine trials at advanced stage
- Today we have taken decision that 25% job with regards to vaccination which was with states will be taken up by the Centre
- Modalities for the same will be worked out in 2 weeks
- Centre will purchase vaccines and give to states
- Vaccination will be free for all citizens of the India above the age of 18 years
- States will be given vaccines free of cost from June 21
- Centre will procure 75 per cent of vaccine and give to states for free. Private hospitals can buy 25 per cent, but additional hospital service charges have been capped at Rs 150
- I urge everyone to spread awareness about COVID-19 vaccines
- Though some states have relaxing norms, there is no place for any laxity
- Food items will be available for free till Diwali for 80 crore people across the country