India may begin to vaccinate citizens against COVID-19 in January, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, adding that the government’s focus was the protection and efficacy of the vaccine.
“I personally feel may be in January in any stage or any week, there can be a time when we can be in a position to give first Covid vaccine shot to the people of India,” Harsh Vardhan told ANI in an interview.
The Minister said the vaccines that qualified for emergency use authorization is being analysed by the drug regulator.
“Our doctors and healthcare experts have focused on the development of a vaccine by genome sequencing and exclusion of the coronavirus and developed a homegrown vaccine. In 6-7 months, we will have the potential to inoculate about 30 crore people,” he said, addressing a ministerial meeting on COVID-19.
“India is not less than any country when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine and research. Our priority has been the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. We do not want any compromise on that. Our regulators are analysing them with seriousness,” he said.