Maharashtra state minister Nawab Malik said on Sunday, April 25, that the move to provide free vaccination to all was discussed in the cabinet of state. Yesterday, Deputy chief minister and finance minister of the state Ajit Pawar had said that they will vaccinate the entire population of the state above 18 years of age free of cost.
The minister further said that the global tenders will be released for the vaccinations. The minister said that the process to vaccinate had been started and they were trying their best to procure the medicine as early as possible to start the mass vaccination of the state.
Maharashtra, on Saturday, itself reported 67,160 new cases of COVID-19, while a jump from 66,836 cases reported earlier.
The Centre had on April 19, announced liberal policymaking all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. It has allowed the state government to purchase vaccines from manufacturers.
As per a government’s order, manufacturers of COVID vaccines will be able to supply 50 per cent of the doses for free. They will have to make an advance declaration before May 1 for the price. India had started a vaccination drive with two vaccines as of January 16:
1.) COVISHIELD
2.) COVAXIN
India has commenced the second phase of its vaccination drive to vaccinate people above 60 years of age and those above 45 with comorbidities against the virus, from March 1.
The third phase began on April 1 for all above 45 years of age, the next phase will begin from May 1 for all above 18 years of age to receive a shot of the vaccine.
