Amid the commencement of the third phase of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive for people between the age group of 18-45 years from today, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the state government has decided to provide free vaccines to people aged between 18 to 44 years.
Speaking to reporters here today, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, "We have decided to give free vaccines to people between 18-44 years of age. People above 45 years of age are being given free vaccine by the Government of India." He further stated that seven Uttar Pradesh districts with highest positivity rate and active cases started vaccination at 85 separate centres set up for those aged above 18 years. These districts include Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorahpur, Bareilly, Kanpur and Meerut.
The Chief Minister further said, "2500 centres for 45+ have begun phase 3 vaccination today. We've also begun vaccination for 18+ age category and included seven districts where positivity rate and active cases are highest including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorahpur, Bareilly, Kanpur and Meerut across 85 separate centres set up for those aged above 18 years." His remarks came during his visit to the vaccination center at Avantibai Hospital to inspect the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, that began today.
The UP CM further said, "We ordered 1 crore vaccines. We have received vaccines for 45+ cateogory too and have purchased directly from the comapnies. We have also floated global tenders for 5 crore vaccines in the state. I am sure that we will be able to take this forward successfully."
India started the vaccination drive for those in the 18-44 age bracket from Saturday as the country continues to battle the second wave of COVID-19. However, some states have flagged the shortage of vaccines and expressed their inability to start vaccination. The Centre on April 19 had announced a "liberalised" policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible for vaccination from May 1. It has also allowed state governments and private hospitals to purchase vaccines from manufacturers. Per the revised rules, the centre will receive 50 per cent of the vaccines supplied; states and private hospitals will get the remaining doses. As per the Ministry of Health, more than 2.45 crore beneficiaries register themselves till 9.30 pm on Friday.
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