PM's photo in vaccine certificate nothing but a message: Minister

New Delhi: It reinforces the message that the public will not feel free to drop COVID-appropriate behaviour after inoculation, is the answer junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar gave in the Parliament to the question why there should be a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi printed in the COVID vaccine certificate.

But the opposition could not think less political behind the image in the wake of upcoming assembly elections in UP and other states and an attempt to grab credit into the states' effort in the COVID vaccination drive. But the non-BJP ruled states issuing vaccination certificates could no longer be seen with the PM's image as Punjab, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have already removed PM Modi's image from the certificate.

Though the Centre has retaken the charge of vaccine procurement from states, it is states that are administering the vaccination process. The opposition cries out that the PM's photo in COVID certificates is self-promotion.

"Given the context of the pandemic, its evolving nature and the fact that following of Covid-appropriate behaviour has emerged as one of the most critical measures for preventing the spread of disease, the photograph along with the message of the Prime Minister in the vaccination certificates reinforces the message for creating awareness about the importance of following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour even after vaccination, in the larger public interest," this is the written statement by Pawar when asked about the need of PM's photo in certificates.

The Minister also used the term "moral and ethical responsibility" to defend her reply as a responsible government should reach the messages to masses.

The government's response also added that the formats of the vaccination certificate from the CoWIN app is standardised and conform to the evolving guidelines of the World Health Authority.