Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that the Government of India will provide free vaccines to states for all people above 18 years, starting 21st June. Addressing the Nation this evening, Mr Modi said, no state government of the country will have to spend anything on the vaccine and the Government of India will provide free vaccines to all the countrymen. He said, today, after much deliberations, the Government has decided that 25 per cent of the vaccine responsibilities that were looked after by the state governments, will now be looked after by the Centre.
Mr Modi said, though the government will provide free vaccines to all the countrymen, those who want to pay for the same can get vaccinated at private hospitals. He said, 25 per cent of vaccines can be purchased by the private hospitals. He added that private hospitals will be able to charge a maximum service charge of Rs 150 rupees for a single dose after the fixed price of the vaccine.
Mr Modi said, the task of monitoring it will remain with the state Governments. The Prime Minister said, seven companies are working on developing vaccines and three trials are underway. He said, research is also underway on nasal vaccines. He said, trials have been started to determine the safety of the vaccines on children. Mr Modi said, in this fight, apart from following COVID Appropriate Behaviour, COVID Vaccine is the only protective gear that can save us from the virus. He said, Made in India vaccines are saving lives across the world.
The Prime Minister informed that Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been extended till Diwali. He said, in this time of pandemic, the Government is standing with the poor. Mr Modi said, free food grains will be available in fixed quantity every month to more than 80 crore countrymen till November.