Centre buying 44 crore doses of Covishield & Covaxin to kick off free vaccine drive

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The Central government on Tuesday placed an order with the Serum Institute of India for 25 crore doses of Covishield and with Bharat Biotech for 19 crore shots of Covaxin to provide free Covid vaccine supplies to all states. The move comes as a quick follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision on Monday to provide vaccine shots free of cost to everyone in the country, according to a Union Health Ministry statement.</p>
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“These 44 crore doses of India-made COVID-19 vaccines will be available till December 2021 to the states, starting now,” the Health Ministry said.</p>
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Additionally, 30% of the advance for procurement of both the Covid Vaccines has been released to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech.</p>
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<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/pm-modi-says-all-states-will-get-vaccines-free-of-cost-as-centre-to-foot-bill-93619.html">PM Modi says all states will get vaccines free of cost as Centre to foot bill</a></p>
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“With the aim to further universalize the countrywide vaccination drive, all citizens above 18 years of age can receive the COVID-19 vaccine doses free of cost at Government health facilities,” the statement explained.</p>
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The steps have been taken to implement the new Guidelines of National COVID Vaccination program announced by the Prime Minister on Monday, the official statement said.</p>
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The Government of India has been supporting the efforts of States and UTs for an effective vaccination drive under the ‘Whole of Government” approach since 16th January this year.</p>
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<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/govt-allows-early-nd-covishield-shot-for-students-athletes-going-abroad-before-aug-93838.html">Govt allows early 2nd Covishield shot for students, athletes going abroad before Aug 31</a></p>
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Based on the various representations received by the Union Government, the vaccination for all adults above 18 years of age was opened with the onset of Liberalized Phase III of India’s vaccination strategy on 1st May, 2021. </p>
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Earlier some states had wanted to procure 25 per cent of the vaccines themselves, which was allowed by the Centre. However, since this system ran into glitches the states themselves have asked the Centre to take over the procurement again. In order to speed up the vaccination drive the PM had announced on Monday that the centre would procure the vaccines and give them free of cost to the states.</p>
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