The Oxford vaccine Covishield and the indigenously developed Covaxin have been approved for use

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the two made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines that have already been approved are more cost-effective than any other in the world and have been developed as per the country's needs.

While interacting with chief ministers of all states to discuss the Covid-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out in the country on Monday, Prime Minister Modi said, "Our experts have taken all precautions to provide the countrymen with effective vaccines".

The Prime Minister pointed out that the world's largest vaccination program will start from January 16.

Public representatives are not part of the three-crore corona warriors and frontline workers to be vaccinated first, Modi said.

He also said that coordination between centers and states in fighting Covid-19 is a great example of federalism.

In the first phase, the cost of vaccination for these 3 crore people would be borne by the central government, he added.

"Around 3 crore healthcare workers and frontline workers will be vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination. In the 2nd phase, those above 50 years and those under 50 years with co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated,” he said.

India's drugs regulator has approved the Oxford vaccine Covishield, being manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.

On Saturday last week, Prime Minister Modi had reviewed the status of Covid-19 and vaccine preparedness across states and union territories at a high-level meeting.

According to the health ministry, India has recorded 16,311 new cases in the last 24 hours. 161 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.