Corona Vaccine New Guidelines: Doses To Be Allocated Based On State's Population, Covid Infections

"Vaccine doses to be allocated to States/UTs based on population, disease burden & vaccination' progress. Wastage will affect allocation negatively," guidelines say

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New Delhi: The Government of India released revised guidelines for the national COVID vaccination program, to be implemented from June 21st onwards stating that the vaccination program is based on scientific & epidemiological evidence, WHO guidelines & global best practices.

According to the new guidelines, vaccine doses to be allocated to States/UTs based on population, disease burden & vaccination' progress.

Govt of India releases revised guidelines for national COVID vaccination program, to be implemented from June 21

"Vaccine doses to be allocated to States/UTs based on population, disease burden & vaccination' progress. Wastage will affect allocation negatively," guidelines say pic.twitter.com/rUsm0MZmwN

— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2021

The revised guidelines stated that the government of India will procure 75% of the vaccines. These doses will be administered by the States/UTs free of cost to all citizens as per priority through Government Vaccination Centres. Vaccination will be prioritized - 

• Health Care Workers
• Front Line Workers
• Citizens more than 45 years of age
• Citizens whose second dose has become due
• Citizens 18 years & above

States/UTs may decide their own prioritization factoring in the vaccine supply schedule for the 18+ age group. "Vaccine doses provided free of cost by the Government of India will be allocated to States/UTS based on criteria such as population, disease burden, and the progress of vaccination. Wastage of vaccine will affect the allocation negatively", the guidelines stated.

States/UTs should also put in the public domain the information about the above availability at district and vaccination center level, and widely disseminate it among the local population, maximizing the visibility and convenience of citizens.

In order to incentivize production by vaccine manufacturers and encourage new vaccines, domestic vaccine manufacturers are given the option to also provide vaccines directly to private hospitals. This would be restricted to 25% of their monthly production. 

For private hospitals, the prices would be declared by each vaccine manufacturer. The private hospitals may charge up to Rs.150 per dose as service charges. State Governments may monitor the price being so charged. All citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free vaccination However, the Centre states that those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use private hospital's vaccination centers.

To promote the spirit of "Lok Kalyan", the use of non-transferable Electronic Vouchers which can be redeemed at private vaccination centers, will be encouraged. 

The CoWIN platform provides every citizen the facility of conveniently and safely pre-booking vaccination appointments. All government and private vaccination centers would also provide onsite registration facilities, available both for individuals as well as groups of individuals. States may also optimally utilize the Common Service Centres and Call Centres to facilitate prior booking by citizens.