As India readies its roadmap for COVID-19 vaccination, PM Modi to chair all-party meet on December 4

KEY STORY

• New Delhi: The Central government has convened an all-party meeting on December 4 (Friday) to discuss the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, sources said.

• The meeting of floor leaders of all parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sources added.

• The meeting comes amid active efforts to put in place a system to administer COVID-19 vaccine in the country, as soon as one is made available.

• The development came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed ongoing efforts in the country to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, which has infected more than 94 lakh people in the country.

• The PM today held a virtual meeting with Indian scientists working on the development of COVID-19 vaccines.

• The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that PM Modi spoke to three teams working on the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines at Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, Pune; Biological E Ltd, Hyderabad; and Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd, Hyderabad.

  “The PM appreciated the efforts being taken by the scientists in these companies to come out with a vaccine solution to tackle COVID-19. The potential of various platforms for vaccine development was also discussed,” the PM said.

   “PM Narendra Modi also asked the companies to come out with their suggestions and ideas regarding the regulatory processes and related matters. He also suggested that they should take extra efforts to inform the general public in simple language about the vaccine,” the PMO stated.

• Just two days ago, PM Modi had travelled to the Serum Institute of India in Pune, Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad and Bharat Biotech facility at Hyderabad to first-hand see the preparations on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and review the challenges and roadmap for the vaccination programme.

• As of today, India’s COVID-19 tally stands at 94,31,691 with 88,47,600 recoveries. A total of 1,37,139 Indians have succumbed to the disease so far.