In a major decision, the Narendra Modi government on Monday announced opening up of Covid 19 vaccination programme for all Indians above the age of 18 from May 1 as part of the Phase 3 of the exercise. 

The decision was taken at a high-powered meeting chaired by Modi amid surge in the number of Coronavirus cases in the country.

Earlier in the day, the Centre approved supply credit to the two Covid 19 vaccine manufacturers – Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech in the country. Under this assistance, SII would receive Rs 3000 crore credit while Bharat Biotech would get Rs 1500 crore. This would help the two manufacturers scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players.

The financial assistance will be released at the earliest.

Vaccine manufacturers have also been empowered to release up to 50 per cent of their supply to the state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price.

Additionally states have been empowered to procure additional vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers, as well as open up vaccination to any category of people above the age of 18 for the same.

Until now India has managed to vaccinate over 120 million people.

Besides, the government has also given approval for fast-tracking imports of other vaccines into India.

India has already approved administration of Sputnik V, developed in Russia.

Last week, the Centre also decided to fast-track approvals for foreign-produced Covid-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency authorisation in other countries, paving the way first for Johnson & Johnson and then Novavax , both US vaccines, to be produced in the country soon.

The government’s decision comes amid an acute shortage of vaccines and surging coronavirus infections worldwide.

Amid sharp rise in the number of Covid 19 cases, experts said that the only way to combat the spread of the pandemic is through mass vaccination.