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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 4 December, addressed the virtual all-party meeting of floor leaders in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to discuss the COVID-19 situation and said that experts believe that the COVID-19 vaccine will be ready in the next few weeks and that healthcare, frontline workers and elderly persons suffering from serious diseases will be given priority in vaccination.
PM Modi further said India’s scientists are very confident of succeeding in their endeavour of making a vaccine against the virus.
“As soon as scientists give the green signal, vaccination will start in India,” he said.
He added that the Centre is in talks with state governments over the price of vaccine, adding that a decision regarding it will be taken keeping public health as the topmost priority.
Teams of central and state governments are working together for vaccine distribution, he said, adding that India fares better in terms of expertise and capacity in vaccine distribution.
“We have a very big and experienced network in the field of vaccination. We will fully exploit it,” the prime minister said at the virtual meet.
“I appeal to leaders of all political parties to send your suggestions in writing. I assure you that they will be considered seriously,” he said.
The meeting comes days after PM Modi held a virtual meeting with chief ministers of states that have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
Former PM and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda was among those participating in the meet.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan were also expected to attend the meeting, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, reported PTI.
This was the second all-party meeting called by the government to discuss the COVID-19 situation since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, India on Friday reported 36,594 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally in the country to 95,71,559.
Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, following the meeting, pointed out that there’s no roadmap for vaccination of normal people.
Speaking at the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, according to ANI, had called for safety mechanism to monitor long-term adverse effects of any COVID vaccines.
He also reportedly said that “India should be well placed to get COVID-19 vaccine at affordable price.”
Further, Azad said:
“COVID-like pandemics can pose threat to country's internal security; policy makers must address challenge,” said the Congress leader.
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