Health Minister Denies Community Transmission Again, Says Vaccine Deadline Can’t Be Given

Health Minister said, “The ICMR notice on fast-tracking the vaccine was misinterpreted. We are following all standards for the creation of a vaccine.”

New Delhi| Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said early detection of COVID-19 cases through widespread testing, surveillance, and clinical management has resulted in India having one of the lowest fatality rates at 2.66 percent.

Harsh Vardhan added, “as we proceed further into Unlock 2.0, it is critical to ensure that all of us rely on the ‘social vaccine’ ‘Do Gaz ki Doori’ and each one of us must follow COVID appropriate behavior.”

Responding to the question of black marketing of Remdesivir, the health minister said, “We have taken action against the black marketers. We are taking measures to ensure that this does not happen…We have already made arrests.” He also told that the government is monitoring the situation. “We have told agencies to make data of the medicine available on their websites,” he said.

Talking about the ICMR’s order regarding fast tracking vaccine until August 15, Harsh Vardhan said, “The ICMR notice on fast-tracking the vaccine was misinterpreted. We are following all standards for the creation of a vaccine.”

Denying community transmission once again, Harsh Vardhan told CNN-News 18, “No data to prove community transmission in India yet. Can say with confidence, community transmission hasn’t begun.”

He also stressed that a specific timeline or deadline for vaccine cannot be given.

Answering whether the lockdown was opened too soon and consequently, now some states are reimposing the lockdown, Harsh Varshan said, “We didn’t open too soon, states going for lockdown is a localized modification of rules, it’s all right for them to locally do it for containing the virus,” he added.