Central Govt. Allowed Vaccination of All above 18 from 1st May

The Government of India on Monday has decided to allow COVID-19 vaccination to all above the age of 18 years from 1^st May. The Govt. of India pronounced a “Liberalised and Accelerated” Phase 3^rd Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination from May 1.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, in a meeting with PM Narendra Modi, a vital decision has been made to permit vaccination for all above the age of 18 years from May 1.

Phase 1 of the vaccination begun on 16th Januay’2021 where priority was given to the safety of Frontline Workers, and Health workers. Phase 2 of vaccination begun on March 1 where the priority, for now, was changed to all the most vulnerable sectors of the country, i.e. people above the age of 45 years that comprises more than 80% of Covid fatalities in the country.

Phase 3 of vaccination will be initiated under which the National Vaccination Strategy is aiming at relaxing the prices of vaccines. This would enhance the production of vaccines and availability as well. This is going to make the eligibility, acquisition, and management of Covid-19 vaccines open and versatile.

The main elements of the Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of the National Covid-19 Vaccination program are –

1. Vaccine producers have to supply 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory production to the government of India and are free to supply the remaining percent State govt. or open market.
2. Manufacturers have to make an advance announcement of the price for 50% supply for State Govt. and in the open market, before 1st May 2021. Based on the quoted price, State governments, private hospitals, and others would be able to acquire vaccine doses from the manufacturers. The eligibility would be opened up to all adults, above the age of 18.
3.  Vaccination shall go on as before at vaccination centers of Govt. of India, free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier.
4. All vaccination would be a division of the National Vaccination Programme, and responsible to follow all protocols and all other prescribed norms. Stocks and prices for each vaccination valid in all vaccination centers are needed to be reported in real-time.
5. The vaccine supply of 50% to Govt. of India and 50% to other channels would be valid equivalently for all vaccines manufactured in the country.
6. Govt. of India, will allot vaccines to States/UTs based on the benchmark of the extent of infection. Wastage of vaccine will also be reviewed in this and will affect the standards negatively.
7. The second dose of all defined priority groups wherever it has become due, would be given emphasis, for which an explicit and focused strategy would be shared with all stakeholders.
8. This would come into the impression from 1^st May 2021 and will be evaluated regularly.