India an important manufacturer of vaccines for world: White House
Washington (PTI): India is an important manufacturer of vaccines for the world, the White House said, acknowledging the crucial role the country played in supplying vaccines against COVID-19 globally.
Because of its incredible manufacturing capacity, (India) has been a major exporter of vaccines, Dr. Ashish Jha, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday.
Responding to a question, Dr. Jha said the QUAD partnership a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the US -- on coronavirus was important to the Joe Biden administration.
I think India is an important manufacturer of vaccines for the world. I mean not just for India itself, this is a really important thing, he said at the White House news conference.
Defending the Biden administration's decision to supply vaccines to the world, Dr. Jha said the US will continue making them available for every low and several low- and middle-income countries.
There are about 100 countries that are eligible to get free vaccines through COVAX -- where we donate the vaccines still available for donation, he said. According to Dr. Jha, every major variant that hit the US originated from outside the country. So, the notion that we can somehow wall ourselves off and not be affected by what's happening in the rest of the world is just naive, he said.
It's just not how transmissible viruses like this work. So even if you think about it from a very narrow self-interest, it's very important that we get much of the world vaccinated, that we help build out the kind of vaccination program. But beyond self-interest, you know, America is a country that has deeply engaged in the world, he added.
Dr. Jha claimed that Biden had restored American leadership on global health in a way which is very different from the previous President .
So, for a whole set of reasons, it's very, very important that America continues to lead, 4.02 billion is a small investment to make to better protect Americans and better protect the world, he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Dense fog keeps visibility low in Delhi, air quality 'very poor'
New Delhi (PTI): Early morning visibility was low in parts of the national capital on Friday due to a thick layer of smog and haze, with mercury levels settling at 9 degree Celsius.
Delhi's air remained in the 'very poor' category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 382, edging closer to the 'severe' category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's SAMEER app, out of 40 air quality monitoring stations across the city, 14 recorded severe air quality while 26 were in the very poor category. Vivek Vihar recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 434, the data showed.
ALSO READ: Absence of teachers frustrates purpose of Right to Education Act: Allahabad HC
As per the Central Pollution Control Board's classification, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor and 401 to 500 severe.
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category till Saturday and deteriorate to 'severe' on Sunday.
Several parts of the national capital were seen enveloped in dense smog during the early morning hours, leading to reduced visibility.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature settled at 9 degrees Celsius, while relative humidity stood at 100 per cent.
The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius, with dense fog likely to persist through the day.
Meanwhile, the ban on the entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI emission standards and enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule came into force in the national capital on Thursday as authorities stepped up measures to tackle worsening air pollution.
Fuel pumps are not dispensing fuel to vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, with enforcement being carried out using automatic number plate reader cameras, voice alerts at fuel stations and police support.
