Prime Minister, Chief Ministers To Receive Shots In Round 2 Of Vaccination

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be vaccinated in the second phase of the Covid inoculation drive launched last week, sources said today. All Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs above 50 will also receive vaccines.

The vaccine drive was launched on January 16 with healthcare workers and others at the frontline of the coronavirus fight receiving jabs of two vaccines - Serum Institute of India's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Many states are struggling to meet targets and hesitancy to take vaccines and the fear of side effects are seen to be part of the reason.

In the second phase, it is the turn of those above 50 and people with comorbidities to take shots.

In his meeting with Chief Ministers before the drive, PM Modi had said they did not need to panic or rush to get vaccinated as they would get their turn in the second round.

Chief Ministers of states like Haryana, Bihar and Odisha had reportedly suggested that MLAs, MPs and other public representatives should be considered frontline workers and be vaccinated.

The PM strictly warned anyone against jumping the queue.