PremiumPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the current Covid-19 situation and vaccination drive on Monday. During the address, PM Modi said that Centre will provide Covid-19 vaccines for free to all above 18 years of age from 21 June in government vaccination centres.
In addition to that, the prime minister also said that those who wish to pay can still get shots at private hospitals. However, he added that private hospitals can charge maximum of ₹150 as service charge per dose above fixed price of the vaccine.
Modi also said private sector hospitals can continue to procure 25 per cent of vaccines.
Modi also and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the country in coming days.
The Centre has decided to buy 75 per cent of jabs from vaccine makers, including 25 per cent of the state quota, and give it for free to state governments, the prime minister said in an address to the nation.
As several states take cautious steps towards unlocking and easing of restrictions with a decline in COVID-19 cases, the prime minister said vaccination is like a protection shield against the virus and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in India in coming days.
Modi said seven companies are producing various vaccines against the coronavirus in the country and trial of three more vaccines is at an advanced stage.
The process of procuring vaccines from companies of other countries has also been expedited, the prime minister said.
Amid concerns expressed by experts recently over children being affected by the virus, Modi said that in this direction trials of two vaccines are being carried out.
Modi said research is continuing on a nasal spray vaccine which, if successful, can significantly boost India's vaccination drive, he said.
Asserting that vaccines are like a protection shield against the virus, he also asserted that with the efforts made in the country recently, vaccine supply would be increased significantly in India in coming days.
India proved its mettle by making two made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines in a short time and over 23 crore doses have already been administered, the prime minister said.
Modi asserted that efforts are being made on a war-footing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at various levels and production of essential medicines was ramped up.
India is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple fronts and new health infrastructure has been created across country, he asserted.
India has gone through a lot of pain during this battle and many lost their loved ones, he noted and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Modi has addressed the nation a number of times since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, offering suggestions to people and outlining measures his government has been taking to deal with the situation.
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