Free Covid-19 vax for 18+ from today: Here’s what you should know

The new centralized policy for free Covid-19 vaccine for adults across the country would begin today. 

Earlier this month, the new policy of inoculation strategy was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the Centre would take over from states, which used to carry out about 25 percent of the vaccination drive. The states would continue with its ongoing efforts to vaccinate the section of the population that is 45+ of age, healthcare and other frontline workers.

On Friday, Union Health Minister in a briefing said that the states would be performing a facilitatory role by aggregating demand and vaccination capabilities of private hospitals, and would be ensuring the proper administration of the vaccine. 

This new central policy was out a few days after the Supreme Court slammed the vaccination drive and called it “arbitrary and irrational.”

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What is the Centre’s new vaccination drive?

• The Central Government would buy 75 percent of the vaccines from the pharmaceutical companies and distribute the stock among the states and union territories for free of cost to vaccinate every Indian citizen above the age of 18 years.
• Now, states would not involve in the procurement of vaccines from the open market. 
• The Central Government would provide vaccines for free of cost to states and the Union Territories based on criteria such as population, disease burden and the progress of vaccination. 
• Leftover 25 percent vaccine doses would be procured by the private hospitals, those willing to pay for their jabs can visit private hospitals for vaccination. But, the price of vaccination is capped by the central government at Rs 150 per dose as service charge over the fixed rate.
• The Centre has capped the prices of all three Covid-19 vaccines in private hospitals. The capped price per dose by centre is Rs 780 for Covishield, Rs 1410 for Covaxin, and Rs 1145 for Sputnik V.

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What would states do now, and how many doses would be administered by each state?

The state government would focus on the priority population – senior citizens (45+ population), health care workers, frontline workers, which would be followed by the citizens whose second dose is due.

The supply to states would depend on – population of the state, Covid-19 caseload, vaccination wastage.

Is CoWin registration mandatory?

From June 21, pre-registration on Cowin.in.gov.in would not be mandatory as the government and private vaccination centres would provide an onsite registration facility.

What is Covid-19 vaccine e-voucher?

Under the new vaccination policy, Centre has proposed a new idea, which provides a provision of non-transferable electronic vouchers. These electronic vouchers would allow an individual to pay for a vaccine slot at a private hospital for another person. Reportedly, it is expected that these vouchers would be approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 

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A statement in the policy document read, “To promote the spirit of 'Lok Kalyan', use of non-transferable electronic vouchers which can be redeemed at private vaccination centres, will be encouraged. This would enable people to financially support vaccination of economically weaker sections (EWS) at private vaccination centres.”