New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on Saturday to review the situation with the coronavirus pandemic in the country, expressing satisfaction at the rate of vaccination but calling for the outreach to be widened with the help of NGOs, his office said.
"Officials gave a detailed presentation to the PM on the progress of vaccination in the country. PM was briefed about the age-wise vaccination coverage. PM was also briefed about the vaccine coverage among healthcare workers, frontline workers and general population in various states," a statement from his office said.
"Officials apprised the PM about the vaccine supply in the upcoming months and efforts being made to increase production," it said.
The meeting came amid growing concerns about the Delta Plus variant of the coronavirus and an impending third wave, weeks after the second wave of COVID-19 left thousands of dead and unleashed unprecedented suffering.
New variants are a concern in India, where more than half the population is still not vaccinated. Only about 5.6 per cent of India's adult population of 95 crore has received two doses.
The country has reported around 50 cases of Delta Plus, and studies are ongoing to test the effectiveness of existing vaccines against the variant.
"PM was informed that 3.77 crore doses have been administered in the last six days which is more than the entire population of countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Canada," the statement from his office said.
Realise our vision of a Drugs Free India: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking said that drugs bring with it darkness, destruction and devastation and we should save lives and realize the vision of Drug free India.
In his message PM Modi said, “Today, on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I laud all those working at the grassroots to eliminate the menace of drugs from our society. Every such effort to #SaveLives is vital. After all, drugs bring with it darkness, destruction and devastation.” “Let us reiterate our commitment to #ShareFactsOnDrugs and realise our vision of a Drugs Free India. Remember – addiction is neither cool nor a style statement. Sharing an old #MannKiBaat episode which contained many aspects of overcoming the drugs menace.” he added.
