TLI Staff
New Delhi: The Centre will buy 75% of the vaccines produced by private companies like Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India (SII) and give them to states to ensure all those above 18 years of age get free vaccine.
In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that vaccines for children and nasal vaccine are under trial giving hope of universal vaccination against the deadly Corona virus.
As many as seven companies are currently producing different type of vaccines and trials of three more vaccines are in the advanced stage. The Prime Minister stated that supply of vaccine would increase in coming days.
Under attack from opposition parties for “lack of preparedness” to control second wave of pandemic, the Prime Minister expressed condolences for the people who lost their lives since the outbreak of the deadly virus.
Terming the ongoing public health crisis as the worst calamity of last 100 years, Modi said that this kind of pandemic had not been seen nor experienced in the modern world. Further, the country is fighting the pandemic on many fronts.
The Prime Minister announced that starting June 21 Government of India will provide free vaccine to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age. Government of India will buy 75 per cent of the total production of the vaccine producers and provide to the states free of cost.
“No state government would be spending anything for vaccines. Till now, crores of people got free vaccine, now 18 years segment will be added to this. Government of India will provide free vaccines to all the citizens,” said the Prime Minister.
The current system of 25 per cent vaccines being procured directly by the private hospitals will continue. State governments will monitor that only Rs 150 is levied by the private hospitals as service charge over the decided price of the vaccines.
The Prime Minister said that globally vaccine producing companies and countries are far less than what is the demand for the vaccines.
While the government has-been stressing the need for vaccination at the earliest, there have been certain apprehension around the vaccine about its efficacy and possible adverse effect. The Prime Minister warned against the “people spreading rumours against vaccination.”
“Such people are playing with the lives of people and there is a need to stay vigilant against them,” said the Prime Minister.
In another major announcement, the Prime Minister conveyed the decision of extending Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna till Deepawali providing for free ration to around 80 crore people.
“This means that till November, 80 crore people will continue to get decided amount of free food grain every month. During the pandemic, the government is standing with the poor for all his needs as his friend,” said the Prime Minister.