Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written a letter to chief secretaries in which he mentioned Coronavirus vaccine introduction would probably take over a year as it includes vaccination of multiple groups starting from healthcare and sanitation workers and people involved in covid-19 management.
The Centre today has started preparing for rolling out potential Covid-19 vaccines. It has asked the states to build a three-tier mechanism to facilitate the procedure.
Bhushan further informed that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited amounts.
The letter said, “It is anticipated that initially the supply of vaccines will be limited given huge demand, hence prioritisation of socio-demographic groups will be done for vaccination and subsequently other groups will be included."
Every state in the country is required to establish a steering committee under the chief secretary - must meet every month; state task force under the principal secretary - must meet fortnightly and district task force under the district magistrate - must meet weekly.
The above-mentioned committee will actively have to supervise and direct the preparation of vaccination priority lists and cold storage facilities.
India on Friday, observed a record fall in the number of active coronavirus infection cases.
The count fell below 6 lakh (5,94,386) for the first time in 85 days. The national recovery rate crossed 91 per cent.