Vaccine manufacturers are empowered to release up to 50 percent of their supply to state governments

Vaccine manufacturers are empowered to release up to 50 percent of their supply to state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price, the Centre said.

The vaccination drive will be opened up for all citizens above the age of 18 from May 1, the Government of India announced on April 19. The immunization drive was currently restricted to only citizens aged above 45.

“Everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get the vaccine against COVID-19,” said a statement issued by the government. “Vaccine manufacturers incentivized to further scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players,” it added.

“Vaccine manufacturers empowered to release up to 50 percent of their supply to state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price,” the Centre further stated.

Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines being made flexible in phase 3 of the world’s largest vaccination drive, the statement added. All stakeholders given flexibility to customise to local needs, it added.

States 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, it added.

COVID-19 Vaccine

“GoI Vaccination drive to continue as before, providing free vaccination for essential and priority populations as defined earlier i.e HCWs, FLWs and population above 45 years,” the government clarified. The government has been working hard for over a year to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reported as saying in the official release.”