As a section of health ministers expressed concerns over Covaxin developed by indigenous vaccine maker Bharat Biotech, the Prime Minister said the two “made in India” vaccines were developed as per the country’s needs.
After nearly nine months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, the schools and colleges in the state resumed physical teaching on Monday. Apart from the students, teachers and other staff, several ministers and MLAs joined the schools on the first day in "welcoming" the students.
A central team that reviewed the steps being taken by Kerala government against Covid-19 and bird flu expressed satisfaction over the measures, said Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja.
This is Modi's first interaction with chief ministers following the recent approval of two coronavirus vaccines for restricted emergency use by India's drug regulator and the announcement of January 16 as the date for the rollout.
The roll-out of coronavirus vaccines in many countries will not provide herd immunity from the global pandemic this year, several health experts said on Monday, citing limited access for poor countries, community trust problems and potential virus mutations.