Modi says India to mass produce COVID-19 vaccine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

By Reporter

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says the country is ready to mass produce COVID-19 Vaccines once scientists give the go ahead.

Delivering an independence Day speech on Saturday, Modi also announced the roll out of a National Project to on health identity for all citizens.

In a scaled-down annual celebration held at the 17th-century Red Fort Modi identified health and economic self-reliance as the key priorities for his government.

“Not one, not two, as many as three coronavirus vaccines are being tested in India,’’ he said from the ramparts of the red sandstone palace in the old quarters of Delhi.

He was wearing a flowing orange and white turban and covering his mouth and nose with a scarf of the same colours whenever anyone came close to him at the ceremony.

“Along with mass-production, the roadmap for distribution of vaccine to every single Indian in the least possible time is also ready,’’ Modi said.

At the event, soldiers who ceremonially welcomed Modi had been under quarantine days before the event.

Only around 4,000 guests were allowed and made to sit six feet apart, while medical booths with ambulances were set up for any attendee showing COVID-19 symptoms during entry.

Launching a National Digital Health Mission for the country of 1.3 billion, Modi said in his seventh Independence Day speech that records of every health test, disease, medication and other details will be kept under a health ID.

“Whether it is making a doctor’s appointment, depositing money or running around for documents in the hospital, the mission will help remove all such challenges,’’ he said.

Without mentioning China, with whom ties have hit a low following the worst border clash in decades that killed 20 Indian soldiers in June, Modi said the country’s sovereignty was supreme.

“Anyone who has raised eyes on the sovereignty of the country, the army of the country have responded to them in the same language.’’