Everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccine from May 1: Centre
In the last 24 hours, India reported 2,73,810 new COVID-19 cases and reached the milestone of highest single day surge while 1,619 people died of this deadly virus.
On Sunday, April 19, Government of India announces new COVID-19 vaccination process and procedures for Phase-3, which will begin from May 1, 2021.
As per the announcement, liberalised and accelerated Phase-3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1 will let everyone above the age of 18 years to get vaccine.
Government of India announced that under Phase-3 of COVID vaccination strategy, vaccine manufacturers would supply 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory released doses to Government of India and would be free to supply the remaining 50% doses to State Governments and in the open market.
Centre also announced that from its share, it will allocate vaccines to States/UTs based on criteria of extent of infection (number of active COVID cases) and performance (speed of administration). Wastage of vaccine will also be considered in this criteria and will affect criteria negatively, as per ANI.
Under Phase 3 of COVID vaccination strategy, vaccine manufacturers would supply 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory released doses to Govt of India & would be free to supply the remaining 50% doses to State Govts and in the open market: Govt of India
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021
Centre also stated that, “Vaccination shall continue as before in government’s vaccination centers, provided free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier, i.e., Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age.
All vaccination through Government of India and other than Government of India channel would be part of the National Vaccination Programme, and mandated to follow all protocol such as being captured on CoWIN platform, linked to AEFI reporting and all other prescribed norms. Stocks and price per vaccination applicable in all vaccination centers will also have to be reported real-time.
Government also laid down rules and regulations for Manufacturers:
1. Manufacturers would transparently make advance declaration of price for 50% supply to State Govts & in open market, before May 1. Based on this price, State Govts, Private hospitals, industrial establishments etc, would be able to procure vaccine doses from manufacturers.
2. Private hospitals would have to procure their supplies of Covid-19 vaccine exclusively from the 50% supply earmarked for other than Govt of India channel.
3. Private vaccination providers shall transparently declare their self-set vaccination price. Eligibility through this channel would be opened up to all adults, i.e. everyone above the age of 18 years.
In the last 24 hours, India reported 2,73,810 new COVID-19 cases and reached the milestone of highest single day surge and 1,44,178 patients got discharge, while 1,619 people died of this deadly virus. Total active cases in India is now around 19.29 lakhs. Total death toll in India reached to 1,78,769.
