Corona Vaccination Day 95

Total 28,98,257 vaccine doses were given till 9 pm, the Ninety Fifth day of nationwide COVID vaccination. Out of which 19,18,155 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 9,80,102 beneficiaries received 2nd dose of the vaccine as per the provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.

The Union Health Secretary and Union  Secretary (Pharmaceuticals) held a Video Conference meeting with States and UTs today on various issues connected with medicines used for treatment of COVID patients in hospital setting. The Secretary Pharmaceuticals made a presentation giving present status of Remdesivir. She informed that the drug has been approved as investigational therapy in patients who are on oxygen with moderate/ severe Covid disease. Due to recent surge in Covid cases, the demand for the drug also grown rapidly with reported shortages. Considering the same, DoP, NPPA along with CDSCO have undertaken an exercise to work out Remdesivir injection allocation to States based on an objective criteria. Since the clinical guidance provides that remdesivir should be used in cases where oxygen is also required, the allocation is based on the oxygen allocation carried out by the Empowered Group-2 to various states. This schedule for allocation for the period of 10 days starting from 21st April 2021 has been worked out. The position will be reviewed after a few days. For the states, for which oxygen allocation was not made, Remdesivir allocation  will also be made shortly. All states were requested to ensure judicious use of Remdesivir as per Clinical Management Protocol for COVID, conduct campaign to check any possible black marketing or hoarding of drugs used in Covid treatment and also facilitate the smooth and unimpeded movement of drugs including inter-state supplies.