New Delhi: On Saturday, the Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur, states that the government has provided 17.56 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses so far to states and union territories. These vaccines are for the immunization of individuals of all age groups. Moreover, 46 lakh doses will be supplied to them in the next three days.
Thakur's comments appeared in reply to senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to exercise Rs 35,000 crore allotted in the Union Budget to assure free vaccine for all citizens instead of the prevailing practice of varied pricing for different users.
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Kharge further requested the prime minister to quickly assemble an all-party conference to collectively trace a holistic plan to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic
Pune-based Serum Institute of India is providing Covishield to the Centre for Rs 150 a dose while to states for Rs 300 a dose. Private Hospitals are taking it at double the state's price at Rs 600.
Whereas, Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has valued its vaccine at Rs 150 a dose for the Centre, Rs 600 a dose for state governments, and Rs 1,200 a dose for private hospitals. Both anti-COVID vaccines are offered in two doses.
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Thakur asserted that "1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V have already reached India and RDIF has also tied up with local Indian companies for bulk production."COVID vaccines are being provided free of cost by the government of India to those who are 45 years of age and above and to all frontline workers," Thakur added.
India has reported the decrease in number of growth for Covid 19 positive cases. However, the death toll keeps on rising.
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