Anyone over the age of 18 will be administered the COVID vaccine in India, it was decided at a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in order to relaunch the fight against the pandemic that is developing in a second wave.
The liberalized and accelerated phase 3 strategy for vaccination against Covid-19 will be implemented from May 1.
Modi, attending a meeting of doctors and pharmaceutical leaders, said the government has been working hard for more than a year to ensure that as many Indians as possible are able to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines are made flexible in Phase 3 of India’s vaccination campaign, which is the largest in the world.
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All stakeholders have the opportunity to adapt to local needs and all people over the age of 18 to be eligible for the vaccine.
Vaccine manufacturers will be encouraged to further scale up their production and attract new national and international players, according to decisions taken at the meeting.
Vaccine manufacturers are allowed to release up to 50% of their supply to state governments and into the open market at a pre-declared price.
States are empowered to procure additional doses of vaccine directly from manufacturers, as well as to open up vaccination to any category of people over 18 for the same.
Free vaccination will continue for essential and priority populations as defined above. This includes healthcare workers, frontline workers, and people over the age of 45.