9 JUNE 2021 /
CENTRE TO PROVIDE FREE VACCINE FOR ALL /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 7 June 2021 that the Central Government will provide free Covid-19 vaccine to all above the age of 18 from 21 June 2021.
It is also decided to purchase 75 per cent of the vaccine from the manufactures and the supply would be increased significantly in the country.
The private Hospitals can continue to procure 25 per cent of the vaccine and the service charge would be capped at Rs. 150 per dose.
The maximum price chargeable for Covishield is Rs.780, for Covaxin Rs.1410 and for Sputnic V Rs. 1145.
At present seven companies including SII are producing vaccines and trials of three more vaccines are at an advanced stage.
Announcing the new vaccine policy, the Prime Minister said:
“Many Chief Ministers had come forward with a demand for reconsideration of the vaccination strategy and for bringing back the system in place before May 1. We will be reverting to the old system where the Centre can procure up to 75 per cent of the doses of vaccine and it will provide them free to State governments, even for the age group 18-44.”
“Those who want to go to private facilities, that too will be allowed, as private institutions can procure 25 percent of vaccines from the manufactures, but there will be a cap of Rs. 150 per dose as service charge over the cost of the vaccine.”
On 8 June 2021 Health Ministry placed orders for 44 crore vaccine doses of Covishield and Covaxin which will be available during August-December period.
India has already administered 23.91 crore doses of vaccine so far and it is expected an adult population of 94 crore to be vaccinated this year.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India directed the Central Government to submit an affidavit on the vaccination policy as it seems to be “arbitrary and irrational”.
The Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to submit all data on the percentage of population vaccinated so far with one dose and both doses details in rural as well as urban areas along with all documents reflecting the vaccine policy.
