'Small Section Spreading Rumours About Vaccines': Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
While holding a video conference with the health ministers of states and UTs, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reportedly said, “There's a small section that is spreading rumours about vaccines, their utility, their safety, to mislead the people in the society. But such a large number of people received vaccines today with great joy and enthusiasm. Eminent doctors received the vaccine.”
'Step Towards Victory Will be Taken Quickly': Harsh Vardhan Interacts With State Counterparts
Holding a video conference with the health ministers of all states and Union territories after the rollout of the vaccine drive, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said it seems almost obvious that the step towards victory against COVID-19 will be taken quickly.
"The vaccines have been presented before the country like 'Sanjeevani'... in the fight against COVID- 19. The fight was gradually heading towards victory, now it seems almost definite that the step towards victory will be taken quickly," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
He pointed out that the data in the last 3-4 months showed the country was gradually heading towards victory against the pandemic. "To further speed this up, our scientists developed two indigenous vaccines with the support of our scientists, doctors, researchers the vaccine manufacturing industry and the citizens of India who volunteered for clinical trials to make the research of scientists successful," he added.
'India Fought Most Successful War Against COVID-19 Under PM's Leadership': Amit Shah
Speaking in Karnataka's Bhadravathi on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India has fought the most successful war against coronavirus in the world under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.
"The world has been fighting a battle against COVID-19 for over a year. Several people died. It has been the toughest battle in humankind's history. But I'm happy to say that India fought the most successful battle against COVID-19 under PM Modi's leadership... It is a matter of joy for all Indians that we have been able to take this battle to its last stage with the help of two made in India vaccines," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
'Will Also Export Vaccines to Other Countries': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Speaking in Lucknow the day India's COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "After seeing the results of COVID-19 vaccination today, many more people will turn up to get inoculated. We will export the vaccines to other countries also as India believes in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)."
TN CM Palaniswami Says Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Saturday said he too will get a vaccine against COVID-19.
Launching the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the state at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, Palaniswami told reporters that he too will get vaccinated against Coronavirus and added that the state had received 556,500 doses of vaccines -- 536,500 doses of Covishield and 20,000 doses of Covaxin.
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and others were also present at the hospital.