Vaccination to Scale up from Next Week, Keeping an Eye on Delta Plus Variant: VK Paul

The Delta Plus variant is being kept an eye on, and the vaccination process in India is expected to scale-up in the coming week with renewed energy, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said in a Health Ministry briefing on Tuesday.

However, Paul warned that amid unlocking and the opening up of markets, people should maintain social distancing. “Responsibility and discipline are two important things for unlocking,” he said.

Talking about the Delta+ variant of the coronavirus, he said it had been around since March. “This is a variant of interest but not yet one of concern. We have to assess it’s presence through INSACOG,” he said.

“Virus transmission is very low right now. Cluster cases should be contained. We are dealing with a highly transmissible variant this year than we were in 2020, hence we need to exercise greater caution and strictly abide by COVID appropriate behaviour,” he said.

He said that the results of the Novavax vaccine were promising. “What we’re learning from data available in public domain that this vaccine is very safe and highly effective. It will be produced in India. Clinical trials are being conducted and are in the advanced stage of completion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Joint Secretary (Health) Lav Agrawal said in the press briefing that India has seen a decline in active cases, which are now below 10 lakh after 65 days. “A consistent decline in active cases is being seen, infections are currently at 9.13 lakh, a decrease in active cases by more than 28.3 lakhs,” he said.

Anyone Over 18 Can Come to Local Vaccination Centre, Get Registered on CoWin

The Union Health Ministry said Monday afternoon that anyone over the age of 18 can come into their local vaccination centre and register on the CoWIN digital platform to be immunised against COVID-19.

The government stated that pre-registration online or scheduling an appointment to receive the vaccine is not required, in order to speed up immunizations and combat ‘vaccine hesitancy.’

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