New Delhi: Even as the doctors and the researchers worldwide are working round the clock to find the medicine for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime MInister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the planning and preparations for vaccination against the pandemic, as and when it is available. He also highlighted four guiding principles that will form the foundation of this national effort.

In a statement the government said, the Prime Minister noted that vaccination of India's vast and diverse population will need to factor in issues including those related to management of medical supply chains, prioritization of at-risk populations, coordination between different agencies involved in the process, as well as the role of the private sector and civil society in this national endeavour.

It further said that the Prime Minister enunciated four guiding principles that will form the foundation of this national effort -- first, that vulnerable groups should be identified and prioritized for early vaccination, for example doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, non-medical frontline corona warriors, and vulnerable people among the general population.

"Second, that vaccination of anyone, anywhere should take place, i.e without imposition of any domicile related restrictions for getting the vaccine, third, that vaccination must be affordable and universal - no person should be left behind; and fourth, that the entire process from production to vaccination should be monitored and supported in real time with the use of technology," Modi said during the meeting.

Modi also directed officials to evaluate in a broad manner available technology options that can form the backbone of the national endeavor to vaccinate all in the most efficient and timely manner. Prime Minister directed that detailed planning for such large scale vaccination should be undertaken immediately.

India recorded a spike of 18,522 cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 5,66,840, with the number of fatalities inching closer to 17,000-mark, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday (IANS)