Image Credit: The Indian Express
In a major policy shift, the central government has decided to centralize the process of vaccine procurement immediately after some states requested for better policy to procure vaccines. The change in policy was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Monday.
In the earlier system which began in May 2021, the Modi government had allowed 25% of vaccine doses to be acquired by state governments directly while it continued to supply the remaining 50% to the states. However, according to the new changes made today, the central government will procure 75% of all vaccine doses from vaccine manufacturers. The remaining 25% doses will be left for private hospitals to acquire directly from vaccine makers. This is for the people who wish to get their doses from private hospitals.
PM Modi also clarified in his speech that these vaccine doses will be provided for free to the state governments. It can be used to vaccinate citizens above the age of 18 years. The vaccines will be available to the citizens at maximum Rs.150 in the private hospitals.
The Prime minister also briefed about the nasal vaccination trials and the ongoing vaccine trails for children. He elaborated on how the speed of vaccination in India has increased since the beginning of this year. He assured that all the citizens of the country will be vaccinated as soon as possible.