Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that around 40 to 50 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be ready in the country for Immunization against COVID-19 by July next year.<br />'' <br />''He said, approximately 20 to 25 crore people comprising the high priority group, which is likely to include elderly, children, people with co-morbidities, professionals with higher exposure risk among others would be covered under the first phase of the Immunization programme.<br />'' <br />''In his weekly address Sunday Samvaad, Dr. Harsh Vardhan shared the country's way forward in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.<br />'' <br />''He informed that the States and Union Territories have been given time upto end of this month to submit lists of priority population groups for receiving COVID-19 vaccine.<br />'' <br />''Replying to a question during the 4th edition of his special discussion series over COVID-19 related issues, Health Minister said that the government has formed high level committees under Health Ministry to understand the timeline of availability of the vaccines currently in phase -3 trials in the country.<br />'' <br />''He informed that the government is also in discussion with the vaccine manufacturing companies to work out on the swift supply mechanism and vaccine storage facilities.<br />'' <br />''Referring COVID-19 as a global challenge, Dr. Harsh Vardhan called for concerted efforts to find global solution to end the pandemic.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He urged everyone to strictly adhere to the precautions and guidelines as advised by the Health Ministry from time to time.</span><br />