Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday encouraged people to overcome vaccine hesitancy and urged them not to believe in rumours relating to the COVID-19 vaccine.
"I urge you all - trust science. Trust our scientists. So many people have taken the vaccine. I have taken both doses. My mother is almost hundred years old, she has taken both vaccines too. Please do not believe any rumours relating to vaccines. Let us never believe in rumours relating to the vaccine," Modi said while addressing his monthly radio address.
The prime minister said only by getting vaccinated, one can get protection against the deadly disease.
Modi's appeal comes amid concerns over new variants, including the Delta Plus strain of COVID-19.
As per the federal health ministry, over 321 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
Media reports said only 5.6 percent of India's adult population has received the required two doses.
On Saturday, Modi held a review meeting of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive and asked officials to widen the vaccination program.
The vaccination program started in India on Jan. 16 by administering two made-in-India vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin.
Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V was also rolled out in the country.
