India Begins Mega Rollout Of Coronavirus Vaccine Today

 

New Delhi: 

One of the world's biggest coronavirus vaccine programmes will begin in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the vaccination drive at 10.30 am on Saturday.

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.