On Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to get the COVID-19 vaccines amid Delta variant concerns, noting that his nonagenarian mother has taken the anti-Coronavirus shots.
"I urge you all - trust science. Trust our scientists. So many people have taken the vaccine," Modi said while addressing the nation on the 78th edition of his monthly radio address, "Mann Ki Baat".
"I have taken both doses. My mother is almost a hundred years old, she has taken both vaccines too," Modi reasserted. "Please do not believe any rumours relating to vaccines. Let us never believe in rumours relating to the vaccine."
The PM stressed that the only way to protect themselves against the deadly disease is by getting vaccinated.
"Those who are spreading rumours on vaccines, let them be. We all will do our work and ensure people around us get vaccinated."
Moreover, he affirmed that the threat of COVID-19 remains and the country has to focus on vaccination as well as follow COVID-19 protocols.
This comes amid concerns over new variants - like the Delta strain - in India, where more than half the population is still not vaccinated. Only 5.6 per cent of India's adult population has received two doses, according to the government.
In the same vein, India's Minister of Health reported that the Delta variant is present in 12 countries, 48 cases have been identified in 12 Indian states.
Follow the latest news on Google News
