INDIA’S NEW VACCINE POLICY DECODED

The government has started the vaccination drive for everyone aged 18 and above. There have been several changes that have been brought in through 4 phases of vaccination.

In the first three phases when the healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those above the age of 45 were vaccinated, the government distributed the vaccines to the States and the states distributed the vaccines to the vaccination centers where they were given free of cost and in private hospitals, it was RS 250 per dose.

During phase 4, 50 per cent of vaccine supply was given to the open market and 50 per cent to the central government. State government, private hospitals, and other bodies which can administer the vaccine can procure the vaccines directly from the manufacturers as well.

The 50 per cent vaccines with the state government and private hospitals procured from the open market will be given the individuals above 18 years of age and the rest of the share with the central government will be made available for people aged above 45, frontline workers, and healthcare workers.

During the first three phases the private hospitals gave away the doses at Rs 250 but since they will be procuring the jabs at higher rates the cost of the jabs is expected to get higher as compared to the first three phases.

Though the centre will be monitoring the prices by private hospitals, the stocks and prices of the vaccine will be regularly updated and monitored in the Co-win platform.

As the centre will allocate the vaccines to the state as per the extent of active cases and performance, currently the states are given vaccines based on need (according to the registrations).

The people who have received their first jab of vaccine will be prioritised to receive their second jab during their due date.

Other than the indigenous vaccines the imported ready-touse vaccines will be free to sell the entire stick in the open market at competitive rates.

The change in eligibility during phase 4 has brought much relief to the working class, a majority of them cannot rely on working from home.