Centre takes control of vaccination, offers free jabs for all citizens aged 18+

All citizens aged above 18 will get free vaccines, the Centre has announced.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the Centre will provide free COVID vaccines to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18 from June 21, and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the country in coming days.

The Centre has decided to buy 75 per cent of jabs from vaccine makers, including 25 per cent of the state quota, and give it for free to state governments, the prime minister said in an address to the nation.

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Modi said private sector hospitals can continue to procure 25 per cent of vaccines, but their service charge would be capped at Rs 150 per dose over fixed price of the vaccine.

As several states take cautious steps towards unlocking and easing of restrictions with a decline in COVID cases, Modi said vaccination is like a protection shield against the virus and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in India in the next few days/months.

Modi said seven companies are producing various vaccines against the coronavirus in the country and the trial of three more vaccines is at an advanced stage. The process of procuring vaccines from companies of other countries has also been expedited, the Prime Minister said.

Amid concerns expressed by experts recently over children being affected by the virus, Modi said that in this direction, trials of two vaccines are being carried out.

Modi said research is continuing on a nasal spray vaccine which, if successful, can significantly boost India’s vaccination drive.

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Modi asserted that efforts are being made on a war-footing to fight the pandemic at various levels and production of essential medicines was ramped up.

“India is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple fronts and new health infrastructure has been created across the country,” he asserted.

India has gone through a lot of pain during this battle and many lost their loved ones, he noted and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.