As vaccination for above 18 years of age is about tostart from May 1 across the nation, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal today announcedthat the national capital will vaccinate all its citizens above 18 free ofcost.
Meanwhile, those going to private hospitals will still haveto pay for their Covid shots, and those visiting the Delhi Government-runhospitals can avail it for free.
Kejriwal also urged vaccine-makers to bring down theprices for state governments.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Coronahas caused tremendous suffering all over the country. In view of this, theDelhi Government on Monday morning approved the purchase of one crore 34 lakhvaccines. This purchase will be done as soon as possible and all Delhiresidents above 18 years of age will be vaccinated for free."
Kejriwal added, "One manufacturing company has askedstates to pay Rs 400 and another Rs 600 per dose. Whereas these companies areproviding vaccines to the central government for Rs 150 only."
The Chief Minister said that the vaccine should be madeavailable to the State Governments at the same price it is being provided tothe Central Government. "I saw an interview with the owner of a vaccinemanufacturing company, in which he says that even if he sells the vaccine forRs 150, he is making a profit. So in such a situation, these companies willearn manifold by selling the vaccine for Rs 400 and Rs 600," he said.
Kejriwal said to save humanity, we appeal to thesemanufacturers to provide vaccine to the states for Rs 150. If needed, thecentral government should fix the price of the vaccine so that it can be madeavailable to the states at a lower cost.
The Chief Minister said that Covid is also affectingchildren below 18 years of age. Therefore, vaccine should be developed forchildren as well and if this vaccine can be applied to children thenarrangements should be made to vaccinate them as well.
The Delhi Chief Minister said that similar was thesituation in England due to Covid a few months ago, but a large-scalevaccination drive was launched to arrest the pandemic. He said we have tounderstand that the vaccine is a great solution for prevention of corona.