Indian Medical Association Endorses Safety, Efficacy Of COVID-19 Vaccines, Requests Its 3.5 Lakh Members To Get Vaccinated

New Delhi: Endorsing the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday (January 11) announced that it has decided to actively take part in the mission of COVID vaccination programme rolled out by Government of India. IMA said in a statement said that the association stands with the scientists to endorse the safety and efficacy of both COVAXIN and COVISHIELD, so public awareness and countering with myths on vaccine percolating in social media. The vaccination drive in the country will start from January 16. The decision was taken at a meeting on Saturday (January 9) in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the status of COVID-19 in the country and preparedness of states and union territories for vaccination against the disease.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccination To Start In India On January 16; 3 Crore Healthcare, Frontline Workers To Get Shots First

The Indian Medical Association, the largest representative body of Modern Medicine Doctors after an extensive review of scientific data, indexed articles, expert panel reports and in discussion with IMA, ICMR and WHO experts, decided to actively take part in the mission of COVID Vaccination programme rolled out by Govt. of India, the IMA said in a statement.

“We stand with the scientists to endorse the safety and efficacy of both these vaccines, so public awareness and countering with myths on vaccine percolating in social media shall be our priority. Our Modern Medicine Doctors will vouch for the safety, quality and professionalism In this difficult time and support the emergency approval for the usage of Vaccines,” the statements said.

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The Indian Medical Association in an official statement has requested all its 3.5 lakhs members in 1800 Local branches to voluntarily come out to get vaccinated first to show to the world that these vaccines are safe and efficacious. Indian Medical Association appreciates and congratulates the hard works of Indian Scientists, Modern Medicine Doctors and the Government of India for bringing out two Indian Vaccines against SARS Covid-19, the statement said.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine Race: Where They Stand Currently

Bharat Biotech has developed a whole viron inactivated vaccine (COVAXIN) and Serum Institute of India, Pune a Recombinant Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector Vaccine (COVISHIELD) are our Indian Vaccines. Good protective levels of antibodies have been found to develop with our Indian Vaccines against current strain and new mutated strains. These vaccines are practically easy to store and used in Indian Condition, IMA said.

India is heading towards becoming superpower with Research and Development in the field of modern medicine and IMA rightfully stands firm as the natural and professional stakeholder in this achievement not only in the development of the vaccine but also in delivering the vaccine, IMA said.

All infrastructure facilities of IMA branches across the country will be available voluntarily for this vaccination programme and allow members of Indian Medical Association will voluntarily serve with technical and supportive manpower, the statement added.

IMA believes getting a vaccination is not only to protect Individual but also to brings herd immunity to the community thereby raising the hope to control the corona pandemic.

Also Read: As India Gears Up To Kick-starts COVID-19 Vaccination Drive From January 16, Expert Explains When Will The Common Man Get The Vaccine

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.