COVID Vaccine For All Above 18 From May 1, States Can Procure Directly From Manufacturers
In a much-needed step, the Indian government on Monday has announced that all citizens above the age of 18 will be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine doses from May 1.
In a much-needed step, the Indian government on Monday has announced that all citizens above the age of 18 will be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine doses from May 1.
The Centre called it a 'liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination from May 1' and stated that the pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of coronavirus vaccines being will be made flexible in Phase 3 of the world¡¯s largest vaccination drive.
Govt of India announces liberalised & accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1; everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine pic.twitter.com/7G3WbgTDy8
¡ª ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021
According to ANI, 'Under Phase 3 of COVID vaccination strategy, vaccine manufacturers would supply 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory released doses to Govt of India & would be free to supply the remaining 50% doses to State Govts and in the open market.'
In its order, the government stated that the states have been empowered to procure additional coronavirus vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers and further, open up vaccination to any category of people above the age of 18 for it.
Govt of India, from its share, will allocate vaccines to States/UTs based on criteria of extent of infection (number of active COVID cases) & performance (speed of administration). Wastage of vaccine will also be considered in this criteria & will affect criteria negatively: Govt pic.twitter.com/jVmzG5nKuf
¡ª ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021
The Centre will continue with its vaccination drive as before and provide free vaccination for essential and priority populations as informed earlier i.e healthcare workers, frontline workers and population above 45 years of age.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to vaccinate all citizens above 18 years of age after meeting with leading doctors and top pharma companies to discuss the worsening COVID-19 situation.
"Government has been working hard from over a year to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible of time," the PM said.
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The division of vaccine supply 50% to Govt. of India and 50% to other than Govt. of India channel would be applicable uniformly across for all vaccines manufactured in the country.
