Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced free anti-COVID-19 vaccines doses for people between 18 to 45 years of age as well from June 21 onwards.
Till now Centre was providing free vaccine doses to people of and above 45 years of age and healthcare and frontline workers while for those in the age bracket of 18 to 45, the States were procuring 75 per cent of doses and 25 per cent were allocated for private companies.
“From June 21, the Centre will procure 75 per cent vaccines for 18 to 45 years of category which the States were procuring and provide them free to the people,” PM Modi while addressing the Nation.
The Prime Minister said the 25 per cent of doses will remain reserved for private companies to buy but they can sell it above Rs 150 from the purchase price.
PM Modi stated that the earlier arrangements of giving room to States to buy the vaccines was granted as per their willingness but now when several States have raised difficulties and objections to such a process, the Centre decided to do away with the earlier system and purchase for everyone.
The Prime Minister said in the next two weeks the Centre and State will chalk out new guidelines for the procurement.
