K’taka, Ladakh and U’khand to give free jabs to all adults

Karnataka, Uttarakhand, andthe Union territory of Ladakh on Monday announced free vaccination for all between 18 and 45 even as the Tamil Nadu government requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to procure and supply the entire quantity of vaccine needed for next phase of the drive beginning May 1.

The Karnataka cabinet led by chief minister BS Yediyurappa decided to provide vaccinations free of cost at government hospitals to all adults below 45 years of age.

The state government on Thursday decided to purchase 10 million doses of Covishield vaccine for ₹400 crore.

The CM also announced a two-week complete lockdown in the state starting April 27. Shops selling essential goods will be remain open 6am and 10pm but public transport will not be allowed.

“The health department will draw up the guidelines required. For those above 45 years the Centre is giving vaccines free of cost,” he said.

The state reported 29,744 Covid-19 infections and 201 deaths on Monday, taking the active cases tally to 1,368,945 and toll to 14,646.

Meanwhile, Ladakh’s lieutenant governor RK Mathur also made an announcement of free vaccination for all on Monday.

“Union Territory of Ladakh has announced free vaccination to all its residents who are eligible for phase III of the COVID vaccination drive,” said an official spokesman.

The UT reported 120 fresh Covid-19 infections and two deaths taking the active cases tally to 13,357 and toll to 138 on Monday.

In Uttarakhand, the state government approved the decision to vaccinate about five milion people of 18-45 age group free of cost. It also imposed a fine of ₹500 and ₹700 for not wearing masks in public places.

In Tamil Nadu, chief minister E Palaniswami wrote to PM Modi and said a ”differential price mechanism” is “inherently unfair”, and said it would put a higher financial burden on the states which have lesser financial resources compared to the central government.