Government of India will provide free vaccines to the states to inoculate all people aged above 18 years, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as he outlined his government's vaccination policy.
In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the government itself will buy 75 per cent of the total vaccine production from vaccine manufacturers and give it free to the state governments.
Referring to the criticism that Centre left states to fend for themselves to procure jabs, Modi said the Centre has changed its vaccine policy only on the demand from states.
"But some states are now saying that the previous system was better. So, a decision has been taken to revert to the earlier policy that was in place before May 1."
The Centre's vaccine policy has been has been widely criticised --- by multiple state governments to civil society to courts of the country --- amid severe shortages. The Supreme Court had also recently the Centre over its vaccination strategy.
Speaking on the ferocious nature of the pandemic, Modi said: "This is the biggest epidemic in the last hundred years, it is a tragedy. The modern world had neither seen nor experienced such an epidemic. Our country has fought together on many fronts with such a big global pandemic."
He said his government has increased the vaccination coverage in country to 90 per cent from just 60 per cent in 2014.
"Compared to the demand for vaccines all over the world today, the countries producing it and the companies making the vaccine are very small. Imagine that if we did not have a vaccine made in India right now, what would have happened in a huge country like India today?," Modi said.
"To increase vaccine availability, the process of procuring vaccines from abroad has been sped up. Experts have also expressed concerns about children. In this direction, the trial of two vaccines is underway. Research is being conducted for a nasal vaccine in the country," the Prime Minister added.
"If you look at the history of the last 50-60 years, you will know that it used to take decades for India to get the vaccine from abroad. Vaccine work used to be completed abroad, even then the work of vaccination could not start in our country," Modi further added.
On Monday, India reported its lowest daily case count in over two months, a sign that the second wave of coronavirus is starting to fade away.
Experts even warned that India's sluggish inoculation drive might leave enough room for the deadly virus to hit the country for the third time.
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU