Bihar, Assam, UP, MP and C’garh to give free jabs for those above 18

NEW DELHI: After Uttar Pradesh and Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar announced that it will provide COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age.

Before the decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, governments in Uttar Pradesh and Assam had announced similar decisions. “PM’s decision will help in better management of COVID and massive vaccination will help in defeating coronavirus,” said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that funds collected under Assam Arogya Nidhi will be utilised to procure vaccines. He said that the Health department has placed order to buy 1 crore doses. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, “the state government will bear the cost of vaccines to be administered to all above 18 years of age.”

Bihar also announced that it will provide free vaccination to all aged above 18. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar informed this through a tweet message.