New Delhi: Days after India entered its third phase of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme, large corporations like Accenture and Infosys have pledged to cover the costs of inoculating their staff who are eligible to receive the vaccine.
“As we continue to navigate the pandemic, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our people. At Accenture in India we have continued to monitor and consider the guidance of external experts and groups, including international health organisations and local health authorities. Based on this, we strongly support the scientific and public health advice that encourages vaccination,” Rekha M. Menon, chairperson and senior managing director at Accenture India, said in a statement Wednesday.
The statement further noted: “For employees who are eligible and choose to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, Accenture will cover the cost for the employee and their dependents who are part of our medical benefits programme. We are grateful to our people for their patience and resilience as we work together to manage through these extraordinary times.”.
In a statement to MoneyControl, Chief Operating Officer of Infosys, Pravin Rao, said: “Infosys is looking at partnering with healthcare providers to vaccinate employees and their immediate families as eligible under the guidelines given by the government of India and as per approved procedures and timelines. Infosys will cover the vaccination cost for the employee and immediate family as part of our focus on health and wellness.”
According to reports, Tata Consultancy Services and NTPC are also drawing up plans to vaccinate their staff.
An official from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) told ThePrint that many other companies will soon follow suit. “Out of the 10,000 member companies, practically all are willing to inoculate their staff according to government guidelines. Not just large corporations, and not just from the private sector — PSUs, small and medium enterprises are also willing to do it. Several companies are not taking a firm step right now because they don’t want to seem out of line,” said the official.
Covering the cost of vaccination
In the third phase, those above the ages of 60 and 45 years with comorbidities are eligible to get vaccinated. The government has capped the price of each dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Rs 250. India currently has two vaccines in the market — Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield that is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
“The price of the vaccine is not an issue for companies since it is so nominal. The reason why companies want to get their staff vaccinated is so that the process speeds up and the economy can get back on track,” said the official quoted above.
On 18 February, the CII had suggested to the government that companies be allowed to innoculate staff and their families, and they “could also assist in the vaccine rollout for surrounding communities on a CSR basis”.
The CII had estimated that this “could benefit an additional 100 million workers in the formal sector and local communities”.
Disclosure: Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani and Co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy are among the distinguished founder-investors of ThePrint. Please click here for details on investors.
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