Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on people to get vaccinated as he said it is the “biggest weapon” in the fight against coronavirus. 

Also Read | Third Phase of COVID-19 vaccination to begin from May 1 : All you need to know

This comes after the central government issued fresh guidelines for the third phase of its mass-vaccination program, starting May 1, relaxing eligibility criteria while announcing measures to ramp up production of the shots.

Also Read | How to apply for COVID-19 vaccine from Aarogya Setu app?

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting with leading doctors from across the country, thanking them along with the medical and para-medical staff for their “invaluable service”, ANI reported.

“Last year, during the same time, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now the country is facing a second wave, all doctors, our frontline workers are confronting the pandemic with full force and are saving the lives of millions of people,” PM Modi said. 

This was the Prime Minister’s second COVID-related meeting today, after he met with leaders from the pharmaceutical industry amid concerns of dire vaccine shortages in the country. 

Also Read | UK adds India to travel ‘red list’ over COVID-19 surge

He also urged doctors to encourage patients to get inoculated against the virus, as well as educate people against the rumours on COVID prevention and treatments.