Rahul Gandhi again pushes for COVID-19 vaccine for all
What's the story
Batting for coronavirus vaccine for all, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said it is the need of the country as everyone has the right to a safe life. He said this as part of the "SpeakUpForVaccinesForAll" campaign launched by the party on social media, demanding the COVID-19 vaccine for all citizens to protect them from the virus.
Quote
Everyone has the right to a safe life: Gandhi
"Corona vaccine is the need of the country. You all should also raise your voice for it. Everyone has the right to a safe life," Gandhi said in a tweet. He also shared a short video about making the vaccine available for all citizens.
Twitter Post
Here is what Gandhi tweeted
कोरोना वैक्सीन देश की ज़रूरत है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2021
आप भी इसके लिए अपनी आवाज़ बुलंद कीजिए- सबको हक़ है सुरक्षित जीवन का।#SpeakUpForVaccinesForAll pic.twitter.com/qcxFZuzR2x
Vaccine
Earlier, Gandhi had asked PM Modi to halt vaccine exports
Gandhi on Friday had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an immediate moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine exports and opening up of the vaccination to "everyone who needs it." In the letter, Gandhi also sought more say to the State Governments in vaccine procurement and distribution. The development came a day after Gandhi questioned the Central Government over COVID-19 vaccine export.
Approval
Fast-track approval of other vaccines as per norms: Gandhi
"Open up vaccination to everyone who needs it," Gandhi had demanded, seeking fast-tracking of approval of other vaccines as per the norms and guidelines. Gandhi had also asked the prime minister to double the central allocation for vaccine procurement from the existing Rs. 35,000 crore and give State Governments a greater say in vaccine procurement and distribution.
COVID-19
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in India
The Congress leader had also alleged that the State Governments were repeatedly highlighting the vaccine shortages only to receive intemperate statements by the Union Health Minister. Worryingly, India saw the maximum single-day rise of 1,68,912 COVID-19 infections and 904 fatalities on Monday morning, pushing the number of active cases in the country to over 12 lakh.
More vaccines
India to get five more COVID-19 vaccines by October: Report
Meanwhile, India is likely to have five more COVID-19 vaccines by October this year, top government sources told the news agency ANI. "These vaccines are Sputnik V (in collaboration with Dr. Reddy's), Johnson & Johnson vaccine (in collaboration with Biological E), Novavax vaccine (in collaboration with SII), Zydus Cadila's vaccine, and Bharat Biotech's Intranasal Vaccine," the source said.