Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India is expected to have a COVID-19 vaccine in a few months and the country should be in the process of delivering it to people in the next six months, reported PTI. 

During the Annual General Meeting of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and St. John’s Ambulance, the health minister said, “We are very much into the vaccine development process…in the next few months at the most we should have a vaccine and in the next six months we should be in the process of delivering the vaccine to the people of India.” 

He added that people should follow distance of six feet, along with regular washing of hands and wearing of masks and face covers, especially in public places, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Maintaining a distance of six feet, regular washing of hands and wearing of masks/face covers, especially in public places can save lives along with livelihood, which has been the ultimate goal of government,” he said.

He said this potent social vaccine can stop the disease and it also forms the foundation of the ‘Jan Andolan’ against COVID-19.

Vardhan said IRCS, through its blood centres, has gone out of its way to ensure that there is no shortage of blood for the people in need.

“Innovative ways of promotion of voluntary blood donation coupled with dedicated efforts of the staff, managers and volunteers have resulted into the 24×7 operations of blood services across the country,” he said.