New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that over 200 million Indians are now fully vaccinated against Covid and urged that international travel should be made easier through mutual recognition of vaccine certificates.

In an address to the COVID-19 Global Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Modi also said that India is now running the world’s largest vaccination campaign and that recently about 25 million people were vaccinated on a single day – in reference to the vaccination drive on September 17.

“Our grassroots level healthcare system has delivered over 800 million vaccine doses so far. Over 200 million Indians are now fully vaccinated,” he told the conference.

He said that as newer Indian vaccines get developed, the government is also ramping up the production capacity of existing vaccines.

“As our production increases, we will be able to resume vaccine supplies to others too. For this, the supply chains of raw materials must be kept open,” he stressed.

PM Modi said there was also need to focus on addressing the pandemic’s economic effects.

“To that end, international travel should be made easier, through mutual recognition of vaccine certificates,” he said, in reference to some countries, notably the UK, not recognising Indian vaccination certificates.


Earlier in the speech he said that India has always seen humanity as one family.

“India’s pharmaceutical industry has produced cost-effective diagnostic kits, drugs, medical devices and PPE kits. These are providing affordable options to many developing countries,” he added.

“Earlier this year, we shared our vaccine production with 95 other countries, and with UN peacekeepers.

“And, like a family, the world also stood with India when we were going through a second wave.

“For the solidarity and support extended to India, I thank you all,” he said.
UNI RN SHK2227