Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he will revise the country’s vaccine policy. The Prime Minister said that from June 21, the vaccine will be distributed free of cost to all those above 18 years of age. He said the central government would receive the vaccine directly from abroad and distribute it to the states free of cost. About 25 percent of the vaccine will be distributed through private hospitals. This should be overseen by the state governments. Private hospitals can charge a maximum of Rs 150 as service charge. About 75 per cent of the vaccine will be distributed free of cost under the supervision of the Central Government.
The Prime Minister said Covid was the most devastating pandemic the country has faced in the last 100 years. Our country is facing it very strongly together. The country’s health infrastructure has expanded over the past year and a half. In the second wave of Covid, the demand for medical oxygen in the country increased like no other. Immediate steps were taken to deliver oxygen. In the second wave, oxygen production increased tenfold. The Covid protocol is the biggest weapon to deal with Covid. The vaccine is a protective shield against Covid. Vaccine production is low in the world. There are no vaccine manufacturers in the world commensurate with the total demand of the world. Modi asked what would have happened to the country if we did not have the vaccine.
The country has developed two vaccines in the last two years. 23 crore vaccines have been distributed in the country so far. The supply of vaccine will be increased in the coming days. There are seven companies producing different vaccines in the country. Three vaccines are in the clinical trial phase. If the country’s vaccine supply is to be increased, the procurement of vaccines from abroad must be increased. Experts have expressed concern about the vaccine for children. In this context, the Prime Minister said that nasal vaccine for children is also under research.