Frontline workers will first get COVID vaccine, says PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that health and frontline workers will get priority when it comes to getting the COVID vaccine when it arrives, while asking for better Centre-State cooperation for a seamless and transparent distribution mechanism. However, he subtly expressed his displeasure over the politics being played over the issue. The Prime Minister made these observations while interacting with the Chief Ministers of all States and UTs.

The PM's assertion comes in the wake of a slew of vaccine makers reporting reasonable success rates. The Prime Minister, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that it is the "duty" of the nation to vaccinate the frontline workers first. He also stressed that the vaccine distribution system must be transparent and thus allay the fears of many Indians.

The PM is learnt to have said that the priority list will be created in three phases where health workers pressed into COVID duty will be the first to get the vaccine followed by police personnel, sanitation workers and the elderly population. And then, the PM is believed to have articulated, the vaccines will go to those with co-morbidities. The idea behind this is to ensure those who actually are in most dire need of the vaccine, get it first.

Meanwhile, the Centre has already sought a list for all States and Union Territories of frontline workers — doctors, nurses, medical assistants among others — in their respective areas. (IANS)

Also watch: Take an Exclusive Peek at the School that Tarun Gogoi Attended, the House he Grew Up In

Also Read: Russia's Sputnik-V to cost lower than Pfizer, Moderna's COVID vaccine