Five extra states announce free vaccine, Gehlot asks Centre to make it free

By: Express News Service | Bhopal, Raipur, Thiruvananthapuram |
Updated: April 22, 2021 6:54:23 am
A day after BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Assam had been first off the block to announce free Covid-19 vaccine for all adults, a number of states, together with Opposition-governed Kerala and Chhattisgarh, introduced an analogous transfer on Wednesday.
Reiterating that the state would offer free Covid-19 vaccine to folks of all age teams within the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the media, “I have already stated in the past that vaccination would be free in the state. There is no habit (in LDF) of changing opinions occasionally.”
The different states to announce free coronavirus vaccination to their grownup inhabitants are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim, whereas Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot tweeted that the Centre ought to announce “free vaccine for the youth above 18 years of age (as) not giving vaccine for free will increase resentment among the youth towards the Centre”.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope mentioned a dose of Covishield will price Rs 400 in state authorities hospitals and Rs 600 in personal hospitals for these between 18 and 45.

Referring to the Centre’s new coverage on vaccine distribution, the Kerala CM mentioned the Centre is answerable for supplying vaccines to states. The states have been requested to get vaccines from the producers at a value, and this is able to be monetary burden for states, Vijayan mentioned.
About his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rethink the coverage on vaccine distribution and supply states the required amount of vaccines freed from price, Vijayan mentioned, “The Centre has not said its view on it. We have offered a requirement as that of the nation,’’ he mentioned.
Till Wednesday midday, Kerala had administered 62,36,961 vaccine doses, overlaying 14. 88 per cent of its inhabitants. Of these, 54,40,907 had been first doses.

In Bhopal, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned after a Cabinet assembly, “The PM has announced that all above 18 years will be vaccinated from May 1. A detailed guideline from the Centre is awaited but vaccination to those above 18 in MP will be free of cost.”
MP on Wednesday reported 13,107 new circumstances, making it 82,268 energetic circumstances.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel made the announcement at no cost Covid-19 vaccine on Twitter, and requested the Centre to make sure availability of ample doses within the state.
Chhattisgarh ranks fourth within the nation in giving first dose of the vaccine to the 45-plus age group, and ranks second for vaccinating well being employees.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar additionally made the announcement on Twitter, whereas Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang mentioned the state authorities will bear the price of vaccines for folks within the 18-45 age group if the Centre doesn’t bear the associated fee.
Tope mentioned Maharashtra can be exploring choices of procuring vaccines from different producers if provide from the Serum Institute of India can’t meet its calls for. Tope mentioned Russian Sputnik V vaccine is slated to price Rs 750 per dose, whereas US producers are slated to cite Rs 1,500 and the Chinese round Rs 750 for vaccines manufactured in these international locations. —With PTI inputs