The government on Monday announced a ‘liberalised and accelerated’ Covid-19 vaccination programme starting May 1, exactly where all above 18 years of age will be eligible to be vaccinated. Also, vaccine suppliers have been empowered to release up to 50% of supplies straight to state governments and in the open market place at pre-declared rates, a move that would enhance availability of the prophylactics to the individuals.
The move comes amid a speedy surge of the Covid-19 circumstances, which has stretched the capacity of quite a few states and cities, which includes the national capital, in dealing with the crisis.
Several professionals and political leaders had urged the government to ramp up the vaccination drive.
The choice to expand the vaccination approach was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The 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,” according to a statement issued following the meeting, which reviewed the vaccine pricing and procurement approaches getting adopted along with eligibility and administrative matters.
While the new “Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination” will be rolled out from May 1, providing flexibility to all stakeholders to customise to regional requirements, the Centre’s present vaccination drive would continue as planned earlier, giving cost-free vaccination for necessary and priority populations as defined earlier (healthcare workers, frontline workers) and vaccination for individuals above 45 years of age. The Centre will have at its disposal 50% of the vaccines getting supplied by the suppliers.
The second dose of all the Centre’s priority groups would be provided priority and when it is due. A distinct and focused approach would be communicated to all stakeholders relating to this, the government stated.
India had begun the vaccination drive in January, providing 1st priority to well being and front-line workers, and later the drive was extended to these above 60 years of age.
India has administered practically 12.4 crore Covid vaccines so far. AstraZeneca-Oxfod vaccine Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute, and indigenous vaccine Covaxin, created by Bharat Biotech, are the two vaccines getting administered in the nation. Recently, India also authorized Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use, when quite a few more are in the pipeline for approval and roll-out.