Union Health
Minister and chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Dr Harsh Vardhan
on Monday said that the Central Government is planning to vaccinate around
30 crore people against COVID-19 by August 2021, reported NDTV.

He also insinuated
that the vaccine will be available in India before the middle of next year in India, according to an NDTV report.

Also Read: Delhi reduces price of RT-PCR COVID-19 test to Rs 800 from Rs 2,400

The statement came
when the Union Minister for Health and Family welfare distributed masks and
soaps at the Old Delhi Railway Station, calling it to be the biggest weapon to
combat coronavirus.

“This mask and soap distribution has a big message behind it… The government is trying to spread awareness among people through different channels and activities. Coolies, taxi unions, three-wheeler unions play a very important role in its implementation,” he was quoted as saying in the statement by PTI

Appreciating the
fact that everybody present at the event was wearing a mask, Dr. Harsh Vardhan
applauded people’s will and spirit to obey protocols and practices in place and
weighed on the necessities of the ‘new normal’ era of COVID-19.

 “We will soon be completing eleven months
in our fight against COVID-19. Since then, the most important principle to
protect ourselves and others is to follow basic principles of hygiene and
physical distancing. In the fight against COVID-19, our biggest weapon is a
mask and sanitizer.” PTI quotes Harsh Vardhan as saying.

Health Minister
then went on to highlight the progress India made in terms of recovery rates
and testing capacity under his government’s rule.

“India has one of
the highest recovery rates in the whole world. From one lab in January 2020, we
now have 2,165 labs.  More than a million
people are being tested on a daily basis, he said.  “We have completed 14 crore cumulative
tests today. This all shows the determination of the government and relentless
efforts of our corona warriors, whose contribution is significant in fighting
the pandemic,” he said as per PTI.

Also Read: Less than 50,000 cases recorded per day since November 8: Health Ministry

He further praised
Prime Minister’s leadership and underlined India’s augmented efficiency in
terms of producing masks, PPE kits, ventilators etc under Narendra Modi’s
vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

“More than 10 lakh
PPE kits are being manufactured every day in India and now, our scientists are
instrumental in the research for the vaccine and it will be available on
time,” he added.

Harsh Vardhan also
urged people to not take things lightly and follow the COVID-19 protocols by maintaining
Do Gaj Ki Doori and wearing masks.

“A small
negligence or carelessness on our part may invite serious problems. Though we
have one of the lowest fatality rates in the world, but even if one person
succumbs to the disease, it is the biggest loss for their friends and family.
This is my emotional appeal to all of you to spread the message to maximum
people.” he added.