08 December,2020 07:34 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Photo for representational purpose
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that as many as 1.54 lakh auxiliary nurse midwives will administer COVID-19 vaccine to people under the universal immunisation programme when the vaccination process begins.
Addressing a press conference, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: "There are around 2.39 lakh vaccinators (auxiliary nurse midwives) across the country. Only 1.54 lakh ANMs to be used for Covid-19 vaccination. Covid-19 vaccination drive to have minimal impact on routine health services including routine immunisation."
He said that additional vaccinators are being arranged in collaboration with states and UTs. Additional procurement of syringes, and needles is also on track, training materials is being finalised and detailed implementation plans will be finalised with the state governments in coming days.
Currently, nine vaccines are in different stages of trial in the country, out of which six are undergoing clinical trials. "Some may get licensed in next few weeks.... Vaccines require 2-3 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart. Even after vaccination, COVID precautions must be undertaken," Bhushan added.
His statement came after three firms, within days of each other, applied for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of their respective vaccine candidates in the country. While America's Pfizer Inc was the first to apply on December 4, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited applied on December 6 and 7, respectively.
The ministry, however, refused to comment on when the vaccine will be rolled out for public.
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