PM Modi at all-party meet: ICMR working on COVID-19 vaccine, will not have to wait long

Researchers at ICMR Depatment of Biotechnology are working closely with the global players to develop the vaccine for COVID-19, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an all-party meet. "Experts believe wait for COVID-19 vaccine will not be long, it may be ready in a few weeks. There are eight such probable vaccines which are being tested and will be produced in India," said the PM.

Indian scientists are very sure of success in developing COVID-19 vaccine, their confidence very high, said Modi. The Prime Minister also added that the price of the vaccine will be decided with proper participation of the states. "Public health will be the top priority of the government as far as COVID-19 vaccine's pricing is concerned. The states will be fully involved," said Modi. "The entire world is now looking at us. Not just for the way out but the cheapest one at that. India will start COVID-19 vaccination programme after experts give nod," he added.

Floor leaders from all parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were invited to attend the virtual meeting which started around 10:30 am. About 12 leaders from prominent political parties with five or more than five MPs, spoke at the meeting. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke on behalf of the Congress in the meeting.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay from the TMC, Sharad Pawar of the NCP, Nama Nageswara Rao from the TRS and Vinayak Raut from the Shiv Sena among others were also present. This will be the second all-party meeting called by the government to discuss the COVID-19 situation since the outbreak of the pandemic. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan were present in the meeting.

The meeting also assumes significance as it is being held after Modi's visit to pharmaceutical companies in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune to review coronavirus vaccine development work there. The PM mentioned his visit to the sites and added that he is very happy with the work India is doing.

In his closing remarks, he asked the other parties to pool in their resources to fight the virus and pitch-in with their suggestions in writing that might help in policy formation.