Don't pay heed to rumours: Health minister on COVID-19 vaccine

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday appealed to people not to pay heed to rumours about the coronavirus vaccine.

After reviewing the dry run of administering the COVID-19 vaccine at Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in Delhi, Vardhan spoke to the media. "I appeal to people not to pay heed to rumours. Ensuring safety and efficacy of vaccine is our priority. Different kinds of rumours were spread during polio immunisation but people took the vaccine and India is now polio-free," he said.

He also said that in the first phase of distribution of coronavirus vaccine, which would be free for all, shall be provided to most prioritised beneficiaries.

"In first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination free vaccine shall be provided across the nation to most prioritised beneficiaries that incl 1 crore healthcare & 2 crore frontline workers. Details of how further 27 cr priority beneficiaries are to be vaccinated until July are being finalised," the Union health minister wrote on Twitter.

In Delhi, the drive is being conducted at three locations -- the Daryaganj primary health centre, the government-run Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, and the private Venkateshwara hospital, he added.

Except for giving an actual vaccine, every procedure is being followed during the drill, Vardhan said.

In Bengaluru COVID-19 vaccination dry run took place at Primary Health Center in Kamakshipalya. More than 1,65,000 healthcare workers have been identified. "This dry run will help us plan vaccination process," said Special Commissioner, Health, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.