United Nations General Assembly Virtual Side Event

Immunization Agenda 2030: Leveraging the global response to COVID-19 to strengthen health systems and build back better

INDIA STATEMENT

By

H.E. Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

23 September 2021

The WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Hon’ble Health Ministers and Officials from member countries, Ladies and Gentlemen, Namastey!

Countries across the world are facing an unprecedented challenge of containing COVID-19 pandemic.  efforts of the Government of India has been exemplary to world, as it maintains lowest infection and mortality rates coupled with one of the highest recovery rate globally during the pandemic through its five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to COVID-Appropriate Behaviour.

In the fight against COVID-19, vaccines have emerged as one of the most effective intervention to curtail the pandemic. We have ensured that the Indian vaccine manufacturers get a conducive environment for vaccine research, development and manufacturing in the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).

It is also a matter of great pride that we are the first nation in the World to develop a DNA-based vaccine against COVID-19 (ZyCoV-D by M/s Zydus Cadilla) and while the other vaccines are in advanced stage of clinical trials.

India’s Vaccination Programme officially began on 16^th January 2021. India also made a new record on the vaccination front administering more than 2.5 crore covid-19 vaccine dose on 17^th September. The National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme provides universal access to all Indians to live-saving vaccines across geographies.  The COVID-19 vaccine is available free of cost for all of all citizens of the country aged 18 years and above.

We have administered more than 820 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far and around 64.9% have received at least one dose of covid vaccine as of date.  The vaccination programme in India has an in-built focus on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens, ‘Sabka vaccine, Sabko vaccine, Mukt vaccine’ (Free vaccine to all).

The learning from COVID-19 vaccine roll-out will have immense potential to modulate our efforts to further strengthen the last mile delivery of Routine Immunization.

India has also believed in values of integration and unity (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) which means the entire world is one family and is committed to extend support towards every effort made to mitigate the effect of this pandemic towards humanity.

Jai Hind.

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