Expedite the vaccination campaign of adolescents in mission mode: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation of the corona pandemic in the country, the ongoing preparedness of health infrastructure and supply systems, the status of the vaccination campaign in the country and the spread of Omicron and its public health impact. . In the vaccination campaign, 31 percent of adolescents aged 15-18 years have so far been given the first dose within 7 days. Referring to this achievement, the Prime Minister called for intensifying the vaccination campaign for adolescents in mission mode.

Prime Minister Modi directed in the meeting that intensive containment and active surveillance should be continued in areas with high cases and necessary technical assistance should be provided to those states, which are currently reporting more cases. He stressed the need to ensure effective use of masks and physical distancing measures as the new normal to control the spread of infection.

The Prime Minister said that a meeting would be convened with the Chief Ministers to discuss the situation, preparedness and public health facilities of the states. He also highlighted the need to continue non-COVID health services while managing the treatment of COVID patients. He also said that there is a need to take advantage of telemedicine to ensure availability of health related guidance to the people in remote and rural areas. Expressing gratitude for the continuous services of health workers in Corona management till now

In the meeting, the Health Secretary gave a presentation highlighting the rapid rise in corona cases across the world. This was followed by a briefing on the status of corona in India, highlighting the various states and districts causing concern based on the increase in cases and high infection rates. Apart from this, various efforts made so far by the Central Government in terms of assistance to the states were given to meet the upcoming challenge.

Under the Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP-II), the states are being supported to strengthen the health infrastructure, testing capacity, as well as the availability of oxygen and ICU beds and maintaining buffer stocks of essential medicines for Kovid. A presentation was given about Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. He asked the officials to maintain coordination with the states in this regard.