Speaking to the nation, Prime Minister Modi announced “free vaccine to every person above 18 starting June 21”. The Indian Prime Minister said that after receiving feedback from states, the Centre will take 75% of the complete responsibility from states to vaccinate the Indian citizens and only 25% responsibility will remain with the state.
PM Modi said that the state governments starting June 21 will not have to spend any amount to procure vaccines. The new change in the vaccine policy comes after the Supreme Court asked clarity from the Centre about the dual pricing of the vaccines. The Supreme Court had also said that Centre’s paid vaccination by the State government at private hospitals for all persons belonging to 18–44-year category was ‘arbitrary and irrational’.
In his address to the nation, PM Modi also said that the Centre will allow private hospitals to procure vaccines from manufacturers directly. However, the hospitals will not be allowed to more than Rs. 150 service charge over the actual cost of vaccine.
Worst Disaster to strike nation in 100 years
Prime Minister Modi’s speech started with him acknowledging that both the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and India’s fight with it, continues. The Prime Minister offered his sympathies to the people who lost their near and dear ones due to the pandemic.
PM Modi said that the pandemic striking the nation was something that our country never saw or experienced before and that this was the worst disaster to strike the nation in 100 years.
Efforts made on war footing during 2nd wave
Prime Minister Modi said how the nation fought on multiple fronts.
“From making COVID hospitals to increasing ICU beds in hospitals, to making indigenous ventilators, to creating a network of testing labs, in the last one and a half years, the country has in the face of crisis created a completely new health infrastructure.”
Prime Minister Modi said how in April & May, the country’s medical oxygen supply’s demand increased in an unimaginable way, something that the country never experienced. To combat the demand, all the aspects of the government worked together on war footing. Indian Navy, Air Force and other departments of the nation were deployed to procure medical oxygen. As a result of that, the oxygen is now being supplied 10 times than before.
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Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna extended
PM Modi said that due to the pandemic, many poor families are finding it difficult to make ends meet. To make sure that not a single poor person goes to sleep without food, PM Modi said that the Centre has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna till Diwali 2021 (November 2021). According to the PM, over 80 crore Indian citizens will be provided with free ration under the scheme.
“Our government increased vaccination coverage from 60% to over 90%”: PM Modi
PM Modi also said that back in 2014, the vaccination coverage in the country was at 60%. At that rate, it would have taken the nation to be completely vaccinated, a span of 40-long years. In 2014, Mission Indradhanush was introduced which led to vaccination efforts on war footing. PM Modi said that due to the efforts made by the government, the vaccination coverage is now over 90%.
When intentions are pure, planning is clear and efforts are consistent, results are given. Putting every uncertainty aside, India launched not only 1 but 2 made in India vaccine. We are not behind big nations. 23 crore vaccine doses are administered,”
-PM Modi said.
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Vaccine: 7 companies at work, 3 vaccines under clinical trials
PM Modi also said that the power of belief is the strongest to deal with a situation like one the nation is.
“When we believe in ourselves that’s when we get positive result. We knew that our scientists will be able to produce vaccine. With that believe we strengthened our logistics while the scientists were busy in their research work. Last year in April, when there were only few cases, a vaccine task force was already formed,”
-said the PM.
PM Modi also said that a total of 7 companies are already working towards creating vaccines and 3 more vaccines are under clinical trial. Further, a nasal vaccine is also under clinical trial and may be part of the vaccination drive.
