In order to speed up the Covid-19 vaccination drive in India, the Central government announced a liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of vaccination from May 1. People above the age of 18 be eligible to get the vaccine from 1 May.
The Central Govt’s vaccination program will continue as before, providing free vaccinations to medical personnel, frontline warriors and those over 45.
But the vaccine for the age of 18 is not free unless the centre declares them eligible. This responsibility is left to state governments. It is alleged that the Centre took the decision to open up the market to vaccine companies.
The Centre is likely to pressure the state government’s to vaccinate the people. Experts say that the state has to pay for the vaccine with their own money.
Manufacturers would have to make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to the state governments and in the open market before May 1, 2021. There fore, experts are concerned that if states, private hospitals, and corporates compete for the 50% that is available, the prices would rise and the common man cannot buy.