100% centralised vaccine drive for all, states shall not have to spend any money, says PM Modi in his address to the nation

June 7: As most of the states have started to unlock, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday afternoon addressed the nation. The 2nd wave of coronavirus is going on and like many other countries, India too is fighting the deadly coronavirus. “Many have lost their near and dear ones in this pandemic and I offer my deep condolence. The last 100 years has not witnessed a pandemic of this pandemic. Since the last year, India has made its medical infrastructure more robust. Even there was a very high demand of medical oxygen. The government left no stones unturned and by the help of many, the production of liquid medical oxygen was enhanced,” said the Prime Minister.

This is his 9th address to the nation since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Dwelling on the issue of Covid vaccines, the Prime Minister said, “If we do not had a made in India vaccine at our disposal, then we would have been in real trouble. Vaccine is our biggest armour against the war against coronavirus. Around 23 crore doses of life saving vaccine was already administered in the country till now. I had full trust on our scientists who by their research discovered the vaccine. Meanwhile, we also arranged the logistics required for distribute the vaccine throughout the country. The govt also extended all possible help in vaccine research, ” said PM Modi.

My address to the nation. Watch. https://t.co/f9X2aeMiBH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2021

He further said that the trial of 3 more vaccines are in advanced stage. The PM said, “Experts have warned against spread of Covid-19 among the children. In this regard, we have allowed company to conduct trial on children. Research is also underway for a nasal vaccine. Vaccine supply will be ramped up in the next few days. The health workers are working fearlessly and with confidence only because we have been able to vaccinate them. We have accepted all demands of the state on Covid.”

However the Prime Minister said, “The Centre’s vaccination policy was questioned by many. Health is a state subject and the states have acted freely. Even a section of the media also crticised the vaccination policy of the centre. But gradually all realised our efforts and opined that the centre should regulate the vaccine policy. The central govt will take the onus of vaccination drive in consultation with the states.”

From 21 June, 2021 the Union government will provide vaccine for all in the age group of 18 plus. The states will not have to spend anything for this, stated Mr. Modi. He also praised CoWIN App developed by the government for vaccination. “All the state government will be given prior intimation of how many doses of vaccines will be sent to them,” said the PM. He said, “No state government of the country will have to spend anything on the vaccine. Till now crores of people of the country have got free vaccine. Now people of 18 years of age will also join it. Only the Government of India will provide free vaccine to all the countrymen.”

#FreeVaccineForAll

We owe it to the grand vision and compassion of Hon PM Sri @narendramodi for having ensured free vaccine for all above 18 years. On behalf of millions of beneficiaries I also thank PM for extending Garib Kalyan Yojana till November 2021. Thank you.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 7, 2021

25 percent of the vaccine being made in the country, private sector hospitals can take it directly, this system will continue. Private hospitals will be able to charge a maximum service charge of Rs 150 for a single dose after the fixed price of the vaccine. The task of monitoring it will remain with the state governments.

In another significant development, PM Modi announced that government will again provide free ration to more than 80 crore people of the country through ‘Pradhan mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.’ This scheme will continue till Diwali. “This would be of immense help to the poor.

PM Modi, however, slammed vaccine misinformation. He warned against such misinformation being circulated by some among the people. Rumour mongering with vaccines amounts to playing with lives, added the Prime Minister. He appealed to the citizens to spread awareness on vaccination drive.