On Saturday, PM Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting consisting of Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM, Health Secretary, and other senior officials to review the status of COVID-19 in the country along with the preparedness of the State/UTs for COVID vaccination.

On 16th January, India takes a landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19. Starting that day, India’s nation-wide vaccination drive begins. Priority will be given to our brave doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers including Safai Karamcharis, tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

The vaccination drive that will start from January 16 will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 cr, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 cr. January 16 is decided as vaccination day in view of the forthcoming festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, etc.

The three phases of dry runs have been conducted across the country. The third dry run was conducted yesterday across 615 districts covering 4895 session sites in 33 States/UTs.

The CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) app launched by Government will monitor the massive vaccination drive. This unique digital platform will provide real-time information on vaccine stocks, their storage temperature, and individualized tracking of beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine. Govt. mentioned that more than 79 lakh beneficiaries have been already registered on the platform.

See official Press release