Getty ImagesKarnataka will provide free Covid-19 vaccines in its government health centres to all those above 18 years, but those who opt for vaccination at private hospitals may have to shell out from their pockets.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced on Monday that his cabinet has decided to give free vaccination to people in the age group of 18-44 years in all government vaccination centres, even as the Centre’s free vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years of age will continue.
Karnataka had last week approved the purchase of 10 million doses of Covishield at a cost of Rs 400 crore, after the Centre allowed states to make direct procurement from manufacturers. The state has about 60 million beneficiaries, of which eight million people have been already inoculated.
But with Karnataka imposing a 14-day lockdown, it could not be ascertained whether the vaccination drive for those above 18 years will start on May 1 as announced by the Centre or it will be postponed. There are concerns about how people would travel to vaccination centres since movement of any kind, except for essential services, is banned.
When asked about the state’s plan to vaccinate from May 1, health minister K Sudhakar said, “I urge everyone to start registering on CoWIN portal from April 28. We may give a new date or may allow movement of people for vaccination considering it as an essential.”
But he also hinted at a possible delay in starting the drive since the government has yet to place a procurement order with the Serum Institute of India. “It will take time for the arrival of the first consignment. We will soon come up with a strategy on how the vaccination drive will happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, private hospitals said they too were waiting for some clarity to emerge. “We have no idea what is going to happen on May 1, be it in terms of pricing, procurement or the vaccination drive. The mandatory online registration for the 18-44 age group, will also discourage many people from coming forward to inoculate,” said St John’s Hospital community medicine in-charge Arvind Kasthuri.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced on Monday that his cabinet has decided to give free vaccination to people in the age group of 18-44 years in all government vaccination centres, even as the Centre’s free vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years of age will continue.
Karnataka had last week approved the purchase of 10 million doses of Covishield at a cost of Rs 400 crore, after the Centre allowed states to make direct procurement from manufacturers. The state has about 60 million beneficiaries, of which eight million people have been already inoculated.
But with Karnataka imposing a 14-day lockdown, it could not be ascertained whether the vaccination drive for those above 18 years will start on May 1 as announced by the Centre or it will be postponed. There are concerns about how people would travel to vaccination centres since movement of any kind, except for essential services, is banned.
When asked about the state’s plan to vaccinate from May 1, health minister K Sudhakar said, “I urge everyone to start registering on CoWIN portal from April 28. We may give a new date or may allow movement of people for vaccination considering it as an essential.”
But he also hinted at a possible delay in starting the drive since the government has yet to place a procurement order with the Serum Institute of India. “It will take time for the arrival of the first consignment. We will soon come up with a strategy on how the vaccination drive will happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, private hospitals said they too were waiting for some clarity to emerge. “We have no idea what is going to happen on May 1, be it in terms of pricing, procurement or the vaccination drive. The mandatory online registration for the 18-44 age group, will also discourage many people from coming forward to inoculate,” said St John’s Hospital community medicine in-charge Arvind Kasthuri.
Read More News on
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.