Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, asking Indians to be mindful of COVID protocols while celebrating the new year. 

He asked citizens to not panic, but to remain vigilant about the virus. Further, he outlined that India will respond to the virus relying on scientific evidence as well as advice. Modi added that India would soon be getting an intranasal and a DNA vaccine for the coronavirus. 

India’s drive towards increased vaccination has been addressed by the PM as well. Modi noted that vaccines for those aged 15-18 would start from January 3. Meanwhile, healthcare and frontline workers are to get a precautionary COVID-19 vaccine from January 10 onwards. 

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From that very date, those above 60, with co-morbidity issues can get a precaution dose based on the doctor’s advice. While we prepare to welcome 2022 with celebrations, Modi has urged caution since the contagious omicron variant is pushing up infection numbers in the country. 

However, if we ‘use masks and wash hands regularly’, we shouldn’t have cause for concern, as the PM noted. India’s leader also took the opportunity to tell the country’s citizens what steps have been taken in terms of hospital beds, oxygen, and vaccinations. 

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Modi announced, “Today, the nation has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen-supported beds, 1.4 lakh ICU beds, and 90,000 special beds for children. Today, we have over 3,000 functional PSA Oxygen plants and 4 lakh Oxygen cylinders have been provided to all states. Apart from research on the vaccine, we were also working on approval processes, supply chains, distribution, training, IT support system, and certification. With these efforts, India started vaccinating its citizens on January 16 this year. Today, more than 61% of India’s adult population has received both doses of the vaccine. Similarly, about 90% of the adult population has been given a single dose of the vaccine”.