Everyone above 18 can get Covid-19 vaccine from May 1: Govt

A decision in this regard was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the phase 3 of the vaccination drive, the vaccination will continue as before in Government of India vaccination centres free of cost to the eligible population including Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers and all people above 45 years of age.

During this phase vaccine manufacturers will supply 50 percent of their monthly released doses to Central government and they will be free to supply the remaining 50 percent doses to States as well as in the open market.

The manufacturers will transparently make an advance declaration of the price of the Vaccine that will be available to State Governments and in open market.

Private Hospitals will have to procure their supplies of Covid-19 vaccine exclusively from the 50 percent supply earmarked for other than Government of India channel.

PM Modi said that the Government has been working hard for over a year to ensure that the maximum number of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible time.

He added that India is vaccinating people at a world record pace and we will continue this with even greater momentum.

Until now, in phase two of the vaccination drive, only people above the age of 45 were eligible for an anti-Covid vaccine.

The Government had started the vaccination drive in January this year by prioritizing health and front line workers in phase one of the vaccination rollout.