PM Narendra Modi announces centralized vaccine drive; Centre will procure all vaccines
PM Narendra Modi Speech Today: Amid the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced a centralized COVID-19 vaccine drive.
While announcing the centralized COVID-19 vaccine drive, he said that all vaccines will be procured by the Government of India and given to States for free.
25 per cent of vaccination work with states will now be handled by the Centre, it will be implemented in the coming two weeks, he added.
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Meanwhile, both the State and Centre will work as per new guidelines in the coming two weeks. From June 21, a free vaccine will be available for people above 18 years. Private hospitals can only charge Rs 150 as a service charge on vaccines, PM Modi said.
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Even as he said that the process of procuring vaccines from abroad has been sped up to increase vaccine availability. Experts have also expressed concerns about children, he said, adding that "In this direction, the trial of two vaccines is underway. Research is being conducted for a nasal vaccine in the country."
Furthermore, he said that the Government has decided to extend Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till Diwali. 80 crore poor will be provided free ration, under the scheme, he said.
