Free Covid-19 vaccine for all above 18 years from June 21: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced a centralised procurement policy for 75 per cent of total Covid-19 vaccines, which will be provided free of cost to States for inoculation of all above the age of 18 years from June 21.

The decision modifies an earlier announcement in which States were also asked to procure 25 per cent of the vaccines directly from the manufacturers. However, private sector hospitals will continue to procure 25 per cent of vaccines as decided earlier.

Amid allegations of private hospitals charging a moon for the Jab, the Centre has also fixed a service charge on each dose at Rs 150 above the decided price of the vaccine, which will have to be monitored by the States.

Also read — PM Modi's address to nation: Here are the key takeaways

Modi announced," the central government will now 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. This will be rolled out in two weeks during which Centre and states will make necessary preparations as per new guidelines.

The decision announced by Modi in an address to the nation came after a number of chief ministers wrote to him regarding the difficulty in getting vaccines directly through global tenders and called for a unified procurement by the Centre. Opposition was also accusing the government of shirking its responsibility.

The Prime Minister said that while the Government of India was procuring all the vaccines since January 16 to April 30, it had allowed the States to procure 25 per cent of the vaccines only after they had demanded decentralisation in vaccine procurement policy.

"As the Corona cases started declining, questions were raised about lack of choice of states and some people questioned why the central government is deciding everything. 'One size does not fit all' types of arguments were forwarded...demands for decentralisation of vaccination were raised. Many types of pressures were exerted," he recalled.

However, the Opposition parties rubbished the argument and shifted the blame on to the Centre.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The Prime Minister inflicted a huge cost on the people of India before accepting the Opposition’s demand for centralised procurement and free vaccination for 18-44 year olds...There is no vaccine for his chronic lies."

CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury accused Modi of "trying to defend his dubious discriminatory vaccine policy" and slammed him for "constant attempts to blame Opposition-run states". Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court saying that after its intervention, free vaccine will be available to all age groups but took potshots at the Centre saying if it wanted, it could have done this long ago. "But due to the policies of the Centre, neither the States were able to buy the vaccine nor the central government was giving it," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted "Good that Centre has decided to take over vaccine procurement & distribution for the whole country for all age groups. I had personally written to @narendramodi ji on this issue twice suggesting this as the only solution to managing #CovidVaccine crisis. The move will help Punjab & other states facing problems in sourcing vaccines to ensure early vaccination of their people. It'll also bring much-needed pricing parity - a necessity in pandemic times."

On the other side, hailing the decision, BJP chief J P Nadda said whenever there has been a crisis, Modi has led from the front.

Promising a massive ramp in vaccine production and procurement, Modi also said the trials of two vaccines to be administered to children are being carried amid apprehensions that children would be impacted more during a possible third wave of Coronavirus. Modi also spoke of research continuing on a nasal spray vaccine which can significantly boost India's vaccination drive.

Modi said that the two made-in-India vaccines were critical for India as globally vaccine producing companies and countries are far less than the global demand for the vaccines and recalled how "in the past, India used to get vaccines decades after they were developed abroad."

Amid hue and cry of vaccine shortage from states, Modi informed the nation that supply of vaccine is about to increase in coming days and that seven companies are now producing different types of vaccines. "Trials of three more vaccines are in the advanced stage," he said.

He said his government raised the vaccination coverage from 60 per cent to 90 per cent in five-six years. He also claimed that the challenge of medical oxygen was also met at the war footing.

The Prime Minister warned people regarding rumours on vaccination, saying some people are playing with the lives of people and there is a need to stay vigilant against them.

"In many places, relaxations are being given in corona curfew but it does not mean that coronavirus has gone away. We have to remain cautious and also have to follow Covid protocols strictly," Modi said amid several states announcing easing of curbs and lifting lockdowns.