New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi praised the national vaccination campaign as it reached a record number on the first day of the implementation of the revised guidelines from the center in which he took over the responsibility of purchasing vaccines Covid-19 for the age group 18 and over.
“Today’s record number of vaccinations is welcome. The vaccine remains our most powerful weapon in the fight against Covid-19. Kudos to those who got vaccinated and kudos to all of the frontline warriors working hard to ensure that so many citizens get the vaccine. Well done India! “Prime Minister Modi wrote on Twitter.
More than 80 doses of Lakh vaccine were administered across the country on Monday on the first day of the entry into force of revised guidelines for vaccination against Covid-19, the Union Health Ministry informed after an announcement prior indicating that the number of doses administered was greater than 69 lakh. .
India’s cumulative vaccine coverage against Covid-19 exceeded 28 crores on Sunday with 28,00 36,898 doses administered over 38 24,408 sessions, according to the ministry’s provisional report until 7 a.m.
According to revised guidelines that came into effect on June 21, vaccine doses provided free of charge by the Center will be allocated to states and TUs based on criteria such as population, disease burden and immunization progress, and all over the age of 18 will be eligible for the free jabs.
Any vaccine wastage will negatively affect the allocation, they said.
The Center will now source 75 percent of the vaccines produced by the country’s manufacturers.
It had previously allowed states and private hospitals to procure 50 percent of vaccines following requests to decentralize the process. However, after several states complained about issues including funding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the revised vaccine guidelines on June 8.
In order to encourage production by vaccine manufacturers and encourage new vaccines, domestic vaccine manufacturers have the option of also supplying vaccines directly to private hospitals. This would be limited to 25 percent of their monthly production, under the new guidelines.
Within the population group of citizens over 18, states and UTs can decide their own priority based on the vaccine supply schedule, according to revised guidelines issued by the Department of Health.
States and UTs would aggregate demand for private hospitals with a view to equitable distribution between large and small private hospitals and regional balance, they said.
“Based on this aggregate demand, the Indian government will facilitate the supply of these vaccines to private hospitals and their payment through the National Health Authority’s electronic platform.
This would allow smaller and more remote private hospitals to obtain a timely vaccine supply, as well as equitable access and regional balance, ”the ministry said.
The price of vaccine doses for private hospitals would be declared by each vaccine manufacturer and any subsequent changes would be notified in advance.
Private hospitals can charge up to a maximum of Rs150 per dose as a service charge. State governments can monitor the price so charged, depending on the guidelines.
All citizens, regardless of their income situation, have the right to free vaccination. Those with the ability to pay are encouraged to use the vaccination centers in private hospitals, as directed.
“To promote the spirit of ‘Lok Kalyan’ (public good), the use of non-transferable electronic vouchers, which can be redeemed at private vaccination centers, will be encouraged.
“This would allow people to financially support the immunization of economically weaker sections (EWS) in private immunization centers,” the revised guidelines say.
Vaccination against Covid in the country began with the vaccination of all health workers from January 16.
The program has been expanded over time to include immunization of frontline workers, citizens over 60, citizens over 45, and possibly citizens over 18.
As part of the National Covid Vaccination Program, from January 16 to April 30, 100% of vaccine doses were purchased by the Indian government and provided free to state governments.
State governments have in turn been urged to administer the vaccination free of charge to defined priority groups.
To increase the rate of vaccination, the participation of private hospitals has also been solicited, where individuals can also choose to be vaccinated at a prescribed rate, the ministry said.
In response to suggestions from many state governments to have the ability to procure vaccines directly and administer them according to their own prioritization based on local requirements.
As of May 1, the Center purchased 50 percent of the vaccines produced and continued to provide them free of charge to states for administration to priority groups.
The state government and private hospitals were now also entitled to source the remaining 50% of vaccines directly.
“However, many states have indicated that they are facing difficulties in managing the funding, supply and logistics of vaccines, which has an impact on the pace of the national Covid vaccination program.
“It was also noted that smaller and more remote private hospitals were also facing constraints.
“In light of these aspects and the repeated requests received from states, the guidelines for the national Covid vaccination program have been reviewed and revised and new guidelines were released on June 8,” the ministry said.
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