COVID-19 Vaccine update: Nearly12 crore jabs to be available in June says Health Ministry

Nearly 12 crore vaccine doses will be available in states and union territories in June to vaccinate people against the novel coronavirus infection through the free of cost channel and direct state procurement said the Union Health Ministry on May 30Nearly 12 crore vaccine doses will be available in states and union territories in June to vaccinate people against the novel coronavirus infection through the free of cost channel and direct state procurement said the Union Health Ministry on May 30.

The central government has been providing COVID vaccines to the states and UTs free of cost as part of the nationwide vaccination drive. On May 1, it implemented the 'Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy' wherein 50 percent of the available doses are earmarked for supply to states and UTs, as free of cost supply from the Centre, while the remaining is available for direct procurement from the vaccine manufacturers by states, UTs and private hospitals.

In June, 6.09 crore (6,09,60,000) doses of COVID vaccines will be supplied to the states and UTs for vaccination of priority group of healthcare workers (HCWs), frontline workers (FLWs) and people aged 45 years and above as free of cost from the Centre, said the ministry in a release issued on the day.

In addition, more than 5.86 crore (5,86,10,000) doses will be available for direct procurement by the states, UTs and private hospitals, read the release.

In May, a total number of 7,94,05,200 doses were available for the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Of these, more than 4.03 crore (4,03,49,830) vaccine doses were made available by the Union Government free of cost and more than 3.90 crore (3,90,55,370) doses were available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals.