Nitish Kumar to PM Modi: Bihar ready for Covid-19 vaccine distribution

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar, during the review meeting on Covid-19 convened by PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, said the state government was making preparations for the vaccine distribution, once it is manufactured and available for people.
State health minister Mangal Pandey and senior officials also attended the meeting through videoconferencing. NITI Aayog member (health) Dr Vinod Kumar Paul made a presentation on the development of Covid vaccine.
Later in the meeting, Nitish said Bihar government was working with all alertness for prevention of further spread of Covid-19 pandemic. “Arrangements are being made by the state government for the vaccine distribution among people upon its availability,” he said.
BJP, which has formed the NDA government in Bihar again, had pledged in its state election manifesto that Covid vaccine would be distributed for free.
Senior BJP functionary and Union minister of state for health and family welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who was also present in the virtual meeting on Tuesday, said the meeting was held in two phases — first with the CMs of eight worst affected states, followed by another meeting with CMs of all states and governors of union territories. “The second meeting was related to distribution of Covid vaccine, its storage and other measures,” he said.
“Few states have seen spurt in Covid cases in the last few days. Accordingly, instructions were issued for increasing the vigil and keeping tab on further spread of the disease,” he added.
Choubey said the government will ensure that Covid vaccine is made available to everyone in the country after successful trial. “Framework in this regard is being prepared. Feedback is also being taken from stakeholders concerned, so that nobody faces any hassle later,” he said.
Going by the government data, Bihar has been so far doing comparatively better in terms of Covid cases. As per the health department bulletin on Tuesday, Bihar had 97.30% recovery rate. Altogether 1,233 people have died due to Covid in Bihar.
The state government has initiated fresh steps to curb further spread of the virus in the ongoing winter season. The district magistrates and SPs, in a meeting of the crisis management group on Monday, have been instructed to conduct special drive against people not wearing marks or violating other precautions, including physical distancing. Civil surgeons and other officials concerned have been asked to conduct random tests at crowded places, including bus stands, airport and vegetable markets.