COVID Vaccination Policy: Everything About The Inoculation Drive That Starts From May 1

by Tania Tarafdar
COVID Vaccination Policy: Everything About The Inoculation Drive That Starts From May 1

With the steep rise in cases, the Centre has opened the vaccination drive for everyone above the age of 18. But ahead of the vaccination drive starting from May 1, the centre issued fresh guidelines for states and Union territories to ensure the effective implementation of the new inoculation strategy. The decision makes India one of the first countries to allow all adults to seek the jab. However, you will be able to receive the doses once private sales begin. Here’s what the states were advised to do:

Cost Of Vaccination

The vaccine procured by the centre will be available free of cost to all citizens of India above the age of 18. However, manufacturers will set the price for open markets and state governments. The private vaccination providers will then set the vaccination price. The Serum Institute of India has set the price of Covishield for ₹400 per dose to state governments and ₹600 per dose to private hospitals. On the other hand, Bharat Biotech has set the price of Covaxin at ₹600 per dose to the state government and ₹1200 per dose to private hospitals.

Covid Vaccine UAE
Pic Credit: Soza Clinic

List Of Vaccinations For Phase III

Covishield: The Serum Institute plans to supply around 120-140 million doses between May and June.
Covaxin: About 29 million doses will be supplied in the open market.
Sputnik V: This vaccine will be available end of May and the number of doses is yet to be decided.
Pfizer: This vaccine will be supplied only to the government but there is no agreement as yet.

Also read: Israel To Allow Vaccinated Foreign Tourists From May 23; Aims To Boost Tourism

Hayat Vax

Vaccine Supply And Distribution

While 50% doses will be purchased by the central government, 50% doses will go to the open market purchased by private hospitals and state governments. While the government had opened the vaccination drive for all under 45, now private establishments got the free hand to vaccinate anyone above the age of 18. When it comes to importing the vaccines, foreign producers can directly sell the entire stock in the open market at a competitive price.

Also read: Vaccine For All Start From May 1: Dos & Don’ts Of Travel After Vaccination

UAE Vaccination
Pic Credit: The National

Plan Of Action Of Vaccination Sessions

While the plan is not final yet, centre has said that it will be able to allot vaccines for 15 days. That would give an idea about the number of doses available in the states. The plan will therefore be subjected to the availability of dates. However, the second dose would be given priority and a strategy would be communicated to all the stakeholders.

Also read: You Can Now Get COVID-19 Vaccination At Your Workplace; Here Everything To Know

You will be able to register for the jab in the COWIN portal.