As India nears the third phase of its inoculation drive, the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that COVID-19 vaccination in the national capital to anyone above 18 will be “free of cost”. The announcement was made at virtual conference. The Delhi CM also highlighted other issues like efforts in procuring more ICU beds, vaccination of individuals under the age of 18, and more.

Background

While Delhi is left gasping for air due to lack of oxygen and medical supplies, the Delhi CM took another proactive measure against COVID-19. On Sunday, April 25, Delhi reported 22,933 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total tally to 10,27,715.

Private centres to likely charge for the vaccination

The Delhi CM announced that the state will be buying 13.4 million doses of vaccine. The vaccines will be put to use for inoculating all those who are above the age of 18. The CM also said that the vaccination will be completely free of cost.

Although reports suggest that the free of cost initiative will only be for Delhi Government-run hospitals and those who will be approaching private centres will have to pay for their COVID-19 vaccine jabs.

“Vaccination is the best strategy to curb the spike”: CM Kejriwal

“As we all can see that COVID-19 has devastated the entire country. In this situation, all the experts indicate the fact that to curb infections, the best strategy is to vaccinate as many people as possible. The Delhi Government has made a decision to provide free of cost vaccination to all those above the age of 18,” the Delhi CM said in his virtual address.

“If enough people get vaccinated, COVID-19 will be like any other ordinary disease”: Delhi CM

“Today morning, we approved the procurement of 13.4 million vaccine doses from the Centre. We will try to buy this lot of vaccine as soon as possible. We know that vaccine is one way to deal with the pandemic. People who get vaccinated don’t get the infection, and if they do, they suffer from mild symptoms. If we get enough people vaccinated, COVID-19 will be like an ordinary disease,” Kejriwal further added.

State govts should get vaccine at the same rate as Centre

CM Kejriwal in his address also appealed to the vaccine manufacturers to sell vaccines to the Centre and the state governments at the same price.

“One vaccine maker has said that it will provide the vaccine to state government for Rs. 400, another vaccine maker has said that they will provide them for Rs. 600. And both these makers will sell vaccines to the Centre at Rs. 150”, Kejriwal said, highlighting the fact that recently Covishield maker Serum Institute said that it will sell the vaccine at Rs. 400 to the State govt, and Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech claimed that it will sell the vaccine at Rs. 600.

“You have entire lifetime to earn profits. Put humanity on priority”

“I appeal to vaccine manufacturers to bring the price of vaccine to Rs. 150/dose for state governments,” Kejriwal said, in an urge to the vaccine makers.

“I was watching an interview of a vaccine maker that claimed that the company was earning profits even at the Rs. 150/dose price. Vaccine makers have an entire lifetime to earn profits. During a raging pandemic they have to put humanity on priority,” he further said.

“Must think of those who are below 18 too”

Kejriwal also called people’s attention to the infection rate among the youth and children. He said that the nation is reporting deaths of those below the age of 18 years as well.

“It is time for us to think about them (those below 18) as well. If its these vaccines that are safe to be administered, we should plan on doing so. If not, I hope that vaccine makers come up with a new creation to help those below 18,” said the AAP leader.

Delhi Lockdown extended for another week

Meanwhile, CM Kejriwal on Sunday, April 24, announced that the lockdown that was to end on 26 April, would be extended for another week. Mr. Kejriwal claimed that the positivity rate of the COVID-19 was still as high as 36% and measure like a lockdown was imperative.