New Delhi: Earlier this week, the Centre decided to reduce the vaccine eligible age, hence, from May 1st 2021, people above the age of 18 will be allowed to get vaccinated. Currently, vaccines are online provided to people aged 45 and above. Some states have decided to provide vaccines free of cost to the people.
Phase-I of the National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy was launched on January 16 this year, prioritising protection for Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Front Line Workers (FLWs). As systems and processes stabilized, Phase-II was initiated from March 1, focusing on protecting our most vulnerable i.e. all people above 45 years of age, accounting for more than 80% of Covid mortality in the country. The private sector was also roped in to boost capacity.
List of states that have decided to provide vaccines for free:
Madhya Pradesh: The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on Wednesday announced that all people above the age of 18 years will be offered COVID-19 vaccine free of cost in the state from May 1st.
Uttar Pradesh: Late Tuesday night after a cabinet meeting it was announced that Uttar Pradesh will offer the Covid vaccine free of cost from May 1st when the vaccination drive will begin for those over the age of 18.
Chhattisgarh: The Government of Chhattisgarh has announced that the Covid vaccine will be provided free of cost to people above 18 years of age from May 1st. On Wednesday itself, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "The state government will pay the corona vaccine to people above 18 years of age in Chhattisgarh. We will take all possible steps to protect the lives of our citizens. The Central Government is requested to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines."
Assam: The government has ordered 1 crore doses of Covanxin from Bharat Biotech. On Tuesday, it was announced the Assam government will provide free Covid-19 vaccination for everybody between the age group of 18 to 45 years in the state.
Bihar: The state is already providing free vaccination is to the people in private hospital & government hospital. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tweeted, "The Bihar government will provide COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age in the state," in Hindi.
Kerala: The Kerala government will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all those above 18 years of age, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday. Hoever, he asked the centre to give vaccines to the states for free as they are already under financial burden due to the coronavirus pandemic. "The state governments have been asked to buy vaccines. But states are already going through a financial burden because of COVID-19. Instead of pushing states to further economic crisis, the centre should give vaccines to the states for free," ANI quoted him as saying.