On a day when the largest vaccine drive was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress has intensified attacks against the vaccine program citing emergency approvals sans efficacy data.
Congress leader and MP from Anandpur Sahib asked if the vaccine is reliable, why no government functionary took it?
While comparing India's vaccination drive to that of US and UK, he said in every country, the head of the government has first taken the shot. In US, President elect Joe Biden and Vice President elect Kamala Harris took the jab. In UK, Queen Elizabeth and PM Boris Johnson had taken the vaccine.
"In India, why has no responsible functionary of the government taken the vaccine shots first if it is so safe and reliable," Tewari further added.
After the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave approval to Covishield and Covaxin, several experts have termed it a decision taken in haste.
Meanwhile, the Phase 3 trials are underway for the indigenous Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech but got approval for emergency use. PM Modi had urged people not to fall for "propaganda" and "rumours" during the launch of vaccination drive in the morning today.