PM: Centre to give states free vaccines for 18+ from June 21
■ Strategy shift after chaos, shortages ■ 25% to remain with pvt hospitals
Facing strong criticism for the utter chaos and shortage of vaccines in several states and Union territories, the Centre has modified its strategy for the Covid-19 vaccination programme. Making an announcement in this regard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday evening that the entire vaccination programme for everyone above 18 will now be done by the Centre for free from June 21 onwards. The government said the decision was taken after many states urged the Centre to reconsider its vaccination strategy and revert to the system that was in place prior to May 1.
The PM said the 25 per cent vaccination that was with the states will now be undertaken by the Government of India, which will buy 75 per cent of the total vaccines and provide them to states free of cost and “no state government would be spending anything for vaccines”.
Mr Modi said the present system of 25 per cent vaccines being procured
directly by private hospitals will continue but the state governments will have to monitor that only `150 as service charge is levied by the private hospitals over the decided price of the vaccines. The new strategy will be rolled out in two weeks, during which the Centre and states will make the necessary preparations as per the new guidelines. While saying Covid-19
THE NEW strategy will be rolled out in two weeks, during which the Centre and states will make the necessary preparations as per the new guidelines
was the worst calamity that India has faced in the last hundred years, the PM said the supply of vaccines would increase in the coming days.
In another major announcement, the PM said the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been extended till Diwali. The move is expected to benefit about 80 crore people.
Several states and the Opposition parties were complaining of a shortage of vaccines ever since the Centre opened up vaccinations for the 18-plus population during the intemse second wave of Covid-19 in India. This had a sudden massive load on the vaccination programme as the 18-plus population rushed to take the jab. However, due to this, all those in the 45-plus category struggled to get their second dose while a huge number of 18-plus people could barely get their first dose. To meet the demand, some states had floated global tenders for vaccine procurement.
Recalling the unprecedented rise in demand for medical oxygen during the second wave in April and May, the Prime Minister said the challenge was met on a “war footing”, deploying all the systems of the government. “In the history of India, this level of demand for medical oxygen was never experienced,” said Mr Modi.
The Prime Minister said the “Made in India” vaccines have come as a big saviour to the country. The PM noted that in the past, India used to get vaccines “decades after” they were developed abroad, due to which India could not start its vaccination programmes in time. Mr Modi said prior to 2014, when his government took office, the vaccination coverage was 60 per cent, which has been raised to 90 per cent in the past five to six years.
The PM also dwelt on the differing views from various quarters over the vaccination drive. “As the corona cases started declining, questions arose about the lack of choice for states and some people questioned why the Central government was deciding everything. Flexibility in lockdown and ‘one-size-doesnot-fit-all’ type arguments were forwarded,” the PM said. He added that from January 16 till the end of April, India’s vaccination programme was run mostly under the Central government, with free vaccinations for all, and people were showing discipline in getting vaccinated when their turn came. However, in the middle of this, there were demands for the decentralisation of the vaccination programme, and questions about why priority was given to certain age groups.
The Prime Minister’s announcement was welcomed by several chief ministers. “The Prime Minister’s declaration that Covid-19 vaccines will be supplied free of cost to the states from June 21 is the most appropriate response at this hour. I am happy that our request has been positively responded to by the PM,” said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh thanked the PM for acceding to his government’s plea for Central procurement and distribution of vaccines for all age groups.
“Free vaccination for all should have been implemented six months ago, but better late than never. The Central government should not have made any changes in its vaccine policy that was implemented in the first place,” Chhattisgarh health minister T.S. Singh Deo said. He felt that the allotment of 25 per cent vaccine doses to private hospitals was too high.