Eight potential vaccines, including three indigenous ones, are at different stages of trial in the country

India can expect the Covid-19 vaccine to be available in the coming few weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. The vaccination campaign will kick start in India as soon as the vaccine is approved by the scientists, he said.

Discussing the Covid-19 vaccination strategy at an all-party meeting via video conferencing, the Prime Minister noted that eight potential vaccines, including three indigenous ones, are at different stages of trial in the country.

PM Modi said the central government was working in close coordination with the state governments to identify the priority groups for vaccination.

He said that the government is developing a comprehensive vaccination strategy and emphasized that the world is looking towards India for the development of a safe and affordable vaccine.

Underlining India's vaccine distribution expertise, capacity, and presence of an experienced and vast network for vaccination, the Prime Minister said that this will help in streamlining Covid-19 vaccination, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Adding to this, a National Expert Group, which includes technical experts and officials of both the Central Government and State Governments, has been constituted to shoulder the responsibility of the campaign related to the vaccine, he said.

During the review meeting, the Prime Minister shared his experience of visiting the vaccine manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad, Pune, and Hyderabad, informing that about eight potential vaccines, currently in different stages of the trial, will be manufactured in India that includes the three indigenous vaccines.

Speaking during the meeting, he hailed the strength of Indians in fighting the pandemic and the scientific methodology adopted to fight the pandemic.

He mentioned that Indians have fought this pandemic with an indomitable will, noting that the restraint, courage, and strength of Indians has been incomparable and unprecedented during this entire battle. Also, the scientific methodology adopted by India led to increased testing in India, which not only reduced the positivity rate but also reduced the Covid-19 mortality rate, as per the statement.

He further cautioned against rumors that may be spread about vaccination, saying that it would be against both public interest and national interest. He called upon all the leaders to make the citizens of the country more aware, and prevent any such rumors from spreading.

In his concluding remarks, PM Modi again appealed to the citizens to be constantly alert and not let the guard down in following the preventive measures against the virus.

Political parties including the Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, YSR Congress Party, JD(U), BJD, Shiv Sena, TRS, BSP, SP, AIADMK, and BJP were present in the meeting.