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PM Modi announces new vaccine policy; free jabs for all above 18 from June 21

No state will be spending anything for vaccines, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi | PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi | PTI

From June 21, the Centre will provide free vaccine to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his televised address to the nation on Monday evening.

Modi said the 25 per cent vaccination that was with states will now be undertaken by the Union government. “This will be rolled out in two weeks. In two weeks, centre and states will make necessary preparations as per new guidelines,” he said, adding that the Centre will buy 75 per cent of the total production of the vaccine producers and provide to the states free of cost.

“No state government would be spending anything for vaccines. Till now, crores of people got free vaccine, now 18 years segment will be added to this. Government of India will provide free vaccines to all the citizens,” the prime minister said.

Modi informed that the system of 25 per cent vaccines being procured directly by the private hospitals will continue. State governments will monitor that only 150 rupees service charge is levied by the private hospitals over the decided price of the vaccines, he said.

Terming the pandemic the biggest calamity of last hundred years—a pandemic not seen nor experienced in the modern world—the prime minister said that the country fought it at many fronts. He also expressed condolences for the people who lost their lives in the pandemic.

Modi said that globally, vaccine producing companies and countries are far less than what is the global demand for the vaccines. In such a scenario, made in India vaccine was critical for India, he said and pointed out that in the past, India used to get vaccines decades after they were developed abroad. 

“This always resulted in a situation in the past where India could not even start vaccination while other countries used to finish the vaccine work,” he said and claimed that India raised the vaccination coverage from 60 per cent to 90 per cent in 5-6 years. “We not only enhanced the speed but also widened the ambit of vaccination,” he said.

He further said: “This time India warded off all the apprehensions and, through clean intentions, clear policy and constant hard work, not just one but two made-in-India vaccines for COVID-19 were launched in India. Our scientists proved their calibre. Till today, more than 23 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country.”

The prime minister reiterated that due to great effort and hard work, supply of vaccine is about to increase in coming days. Seven companies are producing different type of vaccines. Trials of three more vaccines are in the advanced stage, he said.

Modi also said trials for two vaccines for children and a ‘nasal vaccine’ are underway.

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