Centre to provide free vaccines under revised guidelines for vaccination program

In an important step, the revised guidelines have capped the service charge in private hospitals at Rs 150 per dose.

The government of India on Tuesday released the revised guidelines for India’s national COVID-19 vaccination program which would come into effect later this month on June 21. According to the new guidelines, 75% of vaccines being produced in the country will be purchased by the central government and distributed to the states and UT’s “free of cost.”

The centre, in its circular, said that the number of vaccine doses supplied to states will depend upon population, disease burden and the progress of vaccination in a particular state. “Wastage of vaccine will affect the allocation negatively,” it added.

The highest priority for administering vaccines will be given to health care workers followed by front line workers, citizens above 45 years, citizens whose second dose is due and citizens above 18 years of age.

The central government will also provide advanced information on vaccine supply to the states.

To incentivize vaccine production and encourage the launch of new vaccines, the government of India has allowed vaccine makers to supply 25% doses of their monthly production directly to private hospitals. In a move to help smaller private hospitals in remote parts of the country to get vaccines, the centre will facilitate the supply of vaccines and its payment through National Health Authority’s electronic platform.

In an important step, the revised guidelines have capped the service charge in private hospitals at Rs 150 per dose. The vaccine makers will also have to publicly declare the price at which vaccines are sold to private hospitals. “State governments may monitor the prices being so charged,” the circular adds.

While every citizen of the country is entitled to get vaccinated for free, the government encourages the rich to vaccinate themselves at private hospitals. The use of non-transferable Electronic Vouchers has also been encouraged by the centre “to support vaccination of Economically weaker sections at private vaccination centres.”

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