Largest vaccine drive begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday launched India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive, the world’s largest inoculation exercise against the novel coronavirus. In a virtual address, an emotional PM Modi paid tribute to scientists and healthcare workers, who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. "Amid the crisis and the atmosphere of despair, someone was transmitting hope by putting his life on the line to save us," PM Modi said. He added that safety protocol, including social distancing and wearing masks, must remain in place. India will administer shots to three crore frontline workers in phase one. There are 3,006 session sites across the country, where 100 beneficiaries each will be given either of India’s two indigenous vaccines, Covaxin or Covishield.