‘Tika Utsav’ vaccine another major war: PM

New Delhi, Apr 11 (PTI): The active COVID-19 cases in India breached the 11 lakh-mark for the first time after a record high of 1.52 lakh new infections while a massive vaccination push, dubbed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the beginning of another major war against coronavirus, was launched on Sunday in a bid to abate the surge. While the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 10 crore after 85 days, the ‘Tika Utsav’ or a special ‘vaccination festival’ was started till April 14. “Anyone eligible for the vaccine should get the jab, and for this the society and administration have to make full efforts,” Prime Minister Modi said pitching for “zero vaccine waste” and urging the people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.
“This festival is, in a way, the beginning of another major war against corona. We have to lay special emphasis on personal hygiene as well as social hygiene,” he said.
The Centre had warned last week that the next four weeks are critical.
In a statement, the prime minister on Sunday urged people to keep four things in mind — “each one, vaccinate one”, “each one, treat one” and “each one, save one”.
Elderly people or those who may not be much educated should be helped in getting the vaccine, he said and also asked people to help those COVID-19 patients in getting treatment who may lack resources or information.
By wearing masks, people can save themselves and others, Modi added.
“Our success will be decided by how much aware we are about micro containment zones.
“Our success will be decided by not stepping outside homes when not needed. Our success will be decided by ensuring that those eligible for the vaccine get it.
“Our success will be decided by how much we adhere to wearing masks and following other protocols,” the prime minister said. PTI