By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 16, 2021: PRIME Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched the pan-India rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination drive today and asserted that this will ensure a "decisive victory" for the country over the pandemic.

Addressing the nation ahead of one the world's largest vaccination program, Mr Modi praised scientists and said the Made-In-India vaccines are the cheapest and among the best globally.

"Launch of the Largest Vaccine Drive. Let us defeat COVID-19," he wrote on Twitter.

Over 3 lakh healthcare and frontline workers will be inoculated on the first day of the vaccine's launch at the 3,006 sessions sites nationwide. The two vaccines need to be given in two doses, a month apart.

"Dawa bhi, kadaai bhi," said Mr Modi as he cautioned the people to wear masks and maintain social distancing as it takes two weeks after the second dose to develop the necessary immunity.

"India's vaccination programme is driven by humanitarian concerns. Those most vulnerable and exposed to maximum risk will get priority," he said.

The PM then put the vaccination campaign into perspective and said in the first round, at least 3 crore people will be immunised which is more than the population of at least 100 countries of the world. This will be increased to 30 crores in the second phase when those over the age of 50 and people with co-morbidities will be vaccinated.

"There are only three countries- India, USA and China, who have the population of more than 30 crore," he pointed.

During the speech, he turned emotional while talking about the disruption the pandemic caused and the sacrifices made the healthcare and frontline workers.

"This disease kept people away from their families. The mothers cried for their children and had to stay away. People could not meet their elderly family members admitted at hospitals. We could not bid farewell to those who died due to COVID-19 with proper rituals," Mr Modi said.

He also congratulated the country for the united front and said they have emerged all the more stronger.

"Our fight with Corona has been based on self-confidence and self-reliance. To fight this difficult battle, we will not let our confidence weaken, this pledge is shown in every Indian," he said.