Health workers, people over 50 and those deemed at high-risk are prioritised for the vaccination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches one of the world's biggest coronavirus vaccine programmes today.
The vaccination programme, aimed at inoculating 3 crore health and other frontline workers first, will use shots manufactured in India - one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the other by Bharat Biotech with the country's top clinical research body.
Health workers, people over 50 and those deemed at high-risk are prioritised to receive one of the two approved vaccines.
On day one around 3,00,000 people will receive the first of two doses.
Authorities say they are drawing on their experience with elections and child immunisation programmes for polio and tuberculosis in rolling out the vaccine.
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,05,42,841 with 15,158 people testing positive for the infection in a day, while the recoveries have surged to 1,01,79,715 , according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.
The country's deaths increased to 1,52,093 with 175 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,01,79,715 pushing the national COVID-19 recovery rate to 96.56 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.44 per cent. The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 3 lakh.
Here are the LIVE Updates on COVID-19 Vaccination Drive:
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria receives COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS, Delhi.
A sanitation worker becomes the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is also present.
Puspa Kumari has become the first in Andhra Pradesh to receive the vaccine.
'Here are the highlights of PM Modi's address:
- For so many months in every household had one question when will the vaccine come? Now it is here. In very less time.
- In just a few minutes, India will launch the world's largest vaccination drive.
- I congratulate everyone. Those related to its development deserve special applause.
- They didn't see festivals, day or night. They dedicated themselves.
- In general, vaccines take years to develop. But now we have two Made-In-India vaccines. This is an evidence of India's scientific progress and talent.
- Our vaccine developers have a global credibility.
- Life-saving vaccines given to 60% children globally are given shots made in India.
- These Indian vaccines are very cheap in comparison to the other global vaccines. Some of theose vaccines cost Rs 5,000 and need -70 degree storage temp.
- India's vaccines are developed in a way keeping in mind the conditions of the country. They will give "nirnayak jeet" to country.
- Our fight against Covid was based on atmanirbharta and atma vishwas.
- However big the crisis, Indians didn't lose atma vishwas.
- When Covid hit India, we had 1 lab. Now 2300.
- We were importing masks, PPE kits and ventilators. But now we are not just producing them for the country but also exporting them.
- We should be of help to others. Country is made of people and not water, bricks, etc.
- When we look at the past year, as an individual, family and country, we have learnt a lot.
- I want to remember those days on a day we are starting the vaccination - sankat ka daur.
- Generally, whole family stands with bimaar person. But this bimaari separated and isolated people.
- Mothers cried looking at their ailing children but couldn't hold them. Old fathers fought the disease in the hospitals alone. Children couldn't help them.
- Last rites could not be performed in many cases.
- But in times of that crisis and atmosphere of despair, some were giving us hope.
- They were putting themselves at risk to save us - Doctors, Nurse, para medics, ambulance driver, ASHA workers, Safai karmachari, police and other frontline workers - they prioritised their duty towards humanity. They stayed away from their families and childrens, stayed away from their homes for days.
- Hundreds never returned home.
- They sacrificed their lives to save lives. So today, by vaccinating the healthcare workers first, society is in a way paying their debts.
- In the history of mankind, many crises came, pandemics came, WWs came but no one ever thought of a pandemic akin to this.
- Science or society was not prepared for this.
- Pictures coming out of various parts of the world made Indian vichalit.
- We made this our strength.
- India made samvedanshilta its strength.
- The first case was found in India on Jan 30. But 2 weeks prior to that, India had already formed a high-level coming. Jan 17, 2020 was when India had issued the first advisory.
- India was one of the first countries to start screening passengers at airport.
- The willpower and courage and samyuik shakti shown by Indians will be remembered.
- Janata Curfew was a test of our patience. It prepared the country for a lockdown. With taali-thali-diya, we kept our spirits high.
- The best way to curb the spread was to ensure people remain where they were. So lockdown was necessary.
- It was not easy. Keeping such a huge population at home. What impact it will have on economy and livelihoods, we had them.
- But we prioritised "jaan hain toh jahan hain".
- We saw how quickly the whole country stood by this principles.
- I have spoken directly to the Indians from time to time during this time.
- We ensured supply of essential items. Gave food to the poor for free. Home Ministry set up helpline to answer people's questions.
- At a time when countries left their citizens in China at the peak of the pandemic, we repatriated them. Over 35 lakh Indians were brought back by Vande Bharat.
- When a country fell short of testing kits and labs, India set up its lab to test Indians before they boarded flights to India.
- All sectors came together to work together - Forces-ISRO-DRDO-farmers everyone worked together with the same sankalp.
- India's Covid deaths is very less and recoveries more.
- In many districts, no one died of coronavirus. They have recovered.
- In over 150 countries, we supplied essential medical supplies - paracetamol, HCQ, testing kits, etc.
- Even now, the world is looking at India for the vaccines.
- India's vaccine and our production strength should help humanity.
- This drive will now continue for long. So now to become a part of this exercise, volunteers are coming ahead.
- Masks, 2-gaz-ki-doori, and safai will remain necessary even after vaccination.
- New pran: Dawaai bhi, kadai bhi.
- You all stay healthy - with this I extend my best wishes.
- Congratulate those who spent their lives in the labs to develop the vaccine.
- May you all be safe! Thank you so much!
JustIn| PM Modi launches Covid vaccination drive, 3 lakh to receive shots today
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally mounts to 1,17,480, number of deaths rises to 1,049
Jharkhand reported one more fatality due to COVID-19, pushing the death toll to 1,049, while the tally mounted to 1,17,480 with 96 fresh cases, a health department official said.
The death was reported from state capital Ranchi, he said late on Friday.
It also registered the maximum number of fresh cases at 33, followed by East Singhbhum (17) and Palamu (11).
Jharkhand now has 1,289 active coronavirus cases, while 1,15,142 people have recovered from the disease so far, the official said.
Sadar Hospital in Ranchi all set for the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination drive.
JustIn| Coronavirus: 15,158 new cases in India, marginally lower than yesterday; 1.05 crore total cases so far, 1.5 lakh deaths
Watch | Preparations are in full swing in Varanasi ahead of the launch of vaccination drive #CoronavirusVaccinepic.twitter.com/uxCtnEIIfU
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 16, 2021
Preparations for the vaccination drive at the district hospital, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh.
Thane district sees 297 new COVID-19 cases
With the addition of 297 fresh coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, the overall infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,48,809, an official said on Saturday.
The death toll in the district, which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR), rose to 6,049 with the viral disease claiming lives of six more persons, he said.
Thane district's mortality rate stands at 2.43 per cent, the official added.
He said 2,38,678 patients have recovered from COVID-19 disease so far in Thane district, which took the recovery rate to 95.93 per cent. The number of active cases is 4,082.
BHU Hospital in Varanasi decorated with balloons ahead of Covid-19 vaccine drive.
West Bengal geared up for the Covid-19 vaccine drive. NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie reports pic.twitter.com/Vsih4HAG95
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 16, 2021
Visual from COVID-19 vaccination centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will visit AIIMS to witness the launch of the vaccination programme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10.30 am.
Vaccination drive will begin in 3000 centers across India today.
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 16, 2021
NDTV brings you round the clock coverage of the world's largest vaccination drive.#CoronavirusVaccinepic.twitter.com/2MUhUaH0hM
"Covishield Efficacy Higher If Gap Over 28 Days": Serum Institute To NDTV
The efficacy of the Covishield vaccine goes up if the gap between two doses is more than 28 days, a top scientist at Adar Poonawalla's Serum Institute of India (SII) said Friday, a day before the launch of India's Covid vaccination drive. Read more
Area Hospital, Nampally in Hyderabad has been decorated with flowers and balloons ahead of the start of the first phase of nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Mizoram reports 4 new COVID-19 cases
Mizoram reported four new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, said the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Mizoram.
The total count for COVID-19 cases in the state has jumped to 4,314 including 80 active cases.
As per state government data, 4,225 people have been discharged in the state after recovering from the infection.
However, no new deaths were reported making the total deaths in the state stand at nine.
Out of the four new cases, one was reported via the TrueNat test and three through the RT-PCR test.
The first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive is scheduled to start today.
Karnataka all set for Covid-19 vaccination rollout
Six locations apart from Victoria Hospital in Karnataka's Bengaluru have been identified for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme scheduled on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Special Commissioner said that apart from Victoria Hospital, six other locations identified as a coronavirus vaccine centre.
"Apart from Victoria Hospital, we have identified six other sites for launch of COVID-19 vaccination drive tomorrow. We have sent vaccines to each vaccination site and sent a message to beneficiaries receiving the vaccine," the Commissioner said.
In Kalaburagi district, eight vaccination centres for Covid-19 have been set up and all arrangements of the vaccination rollout have been made, according to the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
Madhya Pradesh Covid-19 vaccination drive at 150 centres today
Over 4.16 lakh health workers will be administered the Covid-19 vaccine from Saturday onwards in Madhya Pradesh, the state''s health minister Dr Prabhuram Choudhary said.
Vaccination will be conducted at 150 centers in the state as part of the countrywide inoculation drive that will be launched today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"In the first week, 57,000 health workers will be vaccinated and 50,000 in the second week," Dr Choudhary said while speaking to ANI on Friday.
Jabalpur Collector Karmveer Sharma said that the vaccination drive will be conducted at seven sites in the district today.
Coronavirus Vaccines Explained: How The Two Shots Launching In India Work
India on Saturday will launch one of the world's biggest vaccination programmes with vaccines manufactured in the country - one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the other by Bharat Biotech International with a state-run institute. First to get the vaccine will be 3 crore health and other frontline workers, followed by about 27 crore older than 50 or considered high-risk. Here is a look at the technology behind the two drugs that will be given out. Read more
"Beginning Of End Of Covid": India Starts Vaccinations Today - 10 Points
The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10:30 am today, setting off India on the path towards overcoming the pandemic that has upended lives, ravaged the economy and unleashed unprecedented suffering over the last 12 months. Read more
The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10:30 am today, setting off India on the path towards overcoming the pandemic that has upended lives, ravaged the economy and unleashed unprecedented suffering over the last 12 months. Read more
Coronavirus Vaccine: Sanitation Workers Among First To Get Covid Vaccine At Goa Hospital
GMCH Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar said they have selected 100 sanitation workers attached to the hospital, including those hired through a private firm, for receiving the first doses of vaccine in the state.
These workers have been attending to COVID-19 wards of GMCH, he said.
Sanitation workers who attend to COVID-19 wards at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) would be among the first to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine in Goa as a nationwide inoculation drive starts on Saturday.
These workers have been attending to COVID-19 wards of GMCH, he said.
Coronavirus news: Dozen Doctors In Assam To Volunteer For Vaccine Shots Today
Assam has registered 2.9 lakh frontline healthcare workers for the first phase of the vaccination drive, of whom 1.9 lakh will be inoculated today.
The state has received 2.21 lakh doses of Covid vaccines so far. This includes over 2 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine and 20 thousand doses of Covaxin indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech.
A dozen doctors in Assam have volunteered to take the first vaccine shots today at the Gauhati Medical College to dispel rumours about the Covid vaccine and encourage their fraternity as the country gears up for the the world's biggest inoculation drive against the deadly coronavirus.
The state has received 2.21 lakh doses of Covid vaccines so far. This includes over 2 lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine and 20 thousand doses of Covaxin indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech.
Coronavirus news: India Starts Vaccinations Today
The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10:30 am today, setting off India on the path towards overcoming the pandemic that has upended lives, ravaged the economy and unleashed unprecedented suffering over the last 12 months.
One of the world's biggest vaccination programmes aimed at inoculating 3 crore health and other frontline workers first, it will use shots manufactured in India - one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, the other by Bharat Biotech with the country's top clinical research body.
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