Centre asks states to submit lists of priority population who will 1st receive Covid-19 vaccine

Oct. 5: In a significant development, the Union Health Ministry has asked states to submit lists of priority population who will first receive Covid-19 vaccine. The states were asked to submit the lists of priority population by the end of October 2020. Those who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus than others will be given the vaccine at the 1st step.

Interacting with social media users during the fourth edition of ‘Sunday Samvaad’, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the government plans to receive and utilise 400-500 million Covid-19 vaccine doses and that of the 1.3 billion population, 20-25 crore people would be getting the first shot by July 2021.

While interacting with social media users, the Union Minister said, “Our govt is working round the clock to ensure that there is a fair and equitable distribution of vaccines, once they are ready. Our utmost priority is how to ensure vaccine for each and everybody in the country.”

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “The ministry is preparing a format in which the state will provide list of priority population to receive vaccines, especially frontline health care workers. We have set a realistic deadline of October end to complete this humongous exercise. The concept of priority population exists across the world. While the older people are at a greater risk of Covid-19, those who are engaged in handling Covid-19 patients also fall under this priority population.”