Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the vaccination drive in India on Saturday terming as ‘World’s largest’. A few moments later, netizens took over social media to congratulate scientists, healthcare workers and the BJP leader himself for an assumed achievement.

In his address, Modi reassured the country that emergency use authorisation was given to two made in India vaccines only after scientists were convinced of their safety and effectiveness, and urged people to beware of propaganda and rumours. He said that these vaccines will ensure a “decisive victory” for the country over the coronavirus pandemic, but asked countrymen to continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing even after receiving the jabs.

Lauding the Prime Minister’s address as motivating and describing the vaccine drive as historical, Twitter users went on a spree of “congratulation” messages.

PM Modi took on to Twitter to say, “The #LargestVaccineDrive that started today is guided by humanitarian principles. That is why the vaccination drive first covers those who need it most, those who are tirelessly working on the frontline.”

The Prime Minister of Bhutan also congratulated his Indian counterpart, hoping the vaccine has an “answer to pacify all the sufferings we have endured this pandemic”.

“I would like to congratulate PM @narendramodi and the people of India for the landmark launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today. We hope it comes as an answer to pacify all the sufferings we have endured this pandemic,” he tweeted.

“World was suffering, Yet Indians were optimistic bcoz we knew PM will save us. Economy was suffering, Yet Indians were optimistic bcoz we knew PM will save it. There were confusions on vaccines, Yet Indians were relaxed bcoz we knew PM would select best vaccine. Thank you Modi ji,” a Twitter user said.

Another Twitter user said, “Once again, PM @narendramodi, assured the people of India that ‘we will defeat #COVID19’. Thank you Prime Minister for taking care of us as head of the family.” Another netizen hailed scientists for their tireless work and Prime Minister Modi for his “impeccable leadership” at the time of crisis.

“Congratulations Prime Minister for your incredible leadership throughout the crisis,” a Twitter user said.

Indian yogi and author Jaggi Vasudev aka Sadhguru also backed the vaccine on social media.

World’s #LargestVaccineDrive  ever in Bharath. Congratulations to our Scientists, healthcare workers and administration. Vaccines will definitely help mitigate Virus risk substantially but still very important to maintain protocols of non-spread. Blessings. -Sg

However, there were also some voices of caution and criticism on Twitter.

Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan cited a media report which stated that a total of 23 people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and said that yet, here in India, “we roll out vaccines without proper trials or transparency, even though Covid cases & deaths have declined sharply”.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari also raised questions over the emergency use approval given to the indigenously developed Covaxin and alleged that it was “sans due process”.

“As vaccine roll out begins, it is all a bit puzzling India has no policy framework for authorising emergency use. Yet, two vaccines have been approved for restricted use in emergency situation,” Tewari said in a tweet just before Prime Minister Modi launched the vaccination drive.

“COVAXIN is another story — Approvals sans Due Process,” the former Union minister said, tagging a media report which claimed scientists and doctors are divided on the issue of restricted use approval granted to the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.