States were facing problems in buying vaccines because many states were simultaneously demanding vaccines from companies. The new policy is going to come into effect from June 21.
A vaccination campaign is being run in the country to control the corona infection. Meanwhile, the central government is bringing a new vaccination policy. This policy is going to come into force from June 2021. Under the new policy, the central government will buy vaccines for all citizens above the age of 18 years. Under this policy, the central government will procure 75 percent of the vaccines from vaccine makers. The remaining 25 percent of the vaccine companies will be able to sell to private hospitals.
Earlier, the central government had put the responsibility of buying vaccines for people between the ages of 18 and 44 on the state governments. But due to this policy, the vaccination program started getting affected and the government started getting embroiled in controversies on this front.
Questions were raised on vaccination policy
States were facing problems in buying vaccines because many states were simultaneously demanding vaccines from companies. The controversy increased so much that the Supreme Court also raised many serious questions on the government’s vaccination policy. Because of this, the central government announced a change in the vaccination policy. The new policy is going to come into effect from June 21. What will be the changes after the implementation of this policy, let us understand.
What will change with the new policy
Free vaccine will be provided to all citizens above 18 years of age through the central and state governments. Earlier, free vaccine was being provided only to people aged 45 years and above and front line workers like health care workers. Private hospitals will not be able to charge the arbitrary price of the vaccine. The government has fixed the rate for private hospitals.
Fixed price for private hospitals
Hospitals can charge a maximum of Rs 780 for a single dose of Kovishield vaccine. Private hospitals can charge a maximum of Rs 1145 for a single dose of Sputnik V Vaccine. At the same time, a private hospital can charge up to a maximum of Rs 1410 for a single dose of Covaccine. In addition to the cost of the maximum prices, a service charge of Rs 150 is also included.
Those who are not able to register on the Kovin portal to get the vaccine. They can register by visiting the vaccination centers of government or private hospitals.
The supply of vaccine to the states will be given by the central government keeping in mind things like their population, the latest figures of corona infection and the wastage of the vaccine. State governments can also decide on their own priorities.
can get voucher
There is also talk of arranging for electronic vouchers approved by the Reserve Bank for the economically weaker sections to get vaccinated through private hospitals. It is being said that such vouchers can be downloaded on mobile and can be scanned at the vaccination centre.
