After conducting dry run for covid-19 vaccine across 4 states successfully, the Centre on Thursday announced the same for all states on Saturday, that is, January 2. The development comes amid various promising statements from dignitaries that India will have a vaccine in “few days”.
The Central government has reportedly placed orders for procurement of nearly 83 crore syringes along with inviting bids for nearly 35 crore syringes. “These will be used for Covid-19 vaccination and also for the Universal Immunization Programme,” the Central government said.
The decision was made in a high-level meeting with all states and Union Territories chaired by Union Health Secretary.
In a statement, the Centre said that the aim of the activity is to ensure effective preparedness for the vaccine rollout among the general public while adding that the dry run be conducted in three session sites across all states and UTs.
“With the objective of gearing up for the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine across the country, the Central Government has asked all States and UTs to ensure effective preparedness for the vaccine roll-out. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness at session sites for Covid-19 vaccination with Pr. Secretaries (Health), NHM MDs and other health administrators of all States/UTs through video conference,” Centre added.
“Dry run will be conducted by all the state and UT governments on January 2, 2021. The activity is proposed to be conducted in all State Capitals in at least 3 session sites; some states will also include districts that are situated in difficult terrain or have poor logistical support,” it added.
This is India’s second dry run, the first was held on December 28 and December 29 in four states.
Meanwhile earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that even as daily infections in the country have seen sharp decline in the past few days, one should not let his/her guard down and continue to adhere to guidelines released by the Central government.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the AIIMS in Rajkot through video conferencing, he introduced a new mantra for 2021 while assuring that India is about to roll out world’s biggest vaccination drive against coronavirus.
“I used to say ‘jab tak davai nahi dhilai nahi’ but now our mantra for 2021 should be: Davai bhi, kadaai bhi (yes to medicine and yes to caution),” the Prime Minister said.