Question : Hinderance in COVID-19 Vaccination

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether vaccinating 70 per cent of India’s youth and middle-aged working population may require huge financial resources, if so, the details thereof and the estimated quantum of funds required for the purpose;
(b) whether the Government has not been able ensure universal vaccination, if so the details thereof and reasons therefor;
(c) whether the new policy and some already created/implemented policies are creating serious strain on state finances, chaos in vaccine procurement, escalation of prices, and exclusion of the poor thereby hindering universal vaccination leaving people vulnerable to COVID-19; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken thereon, State/UT-wise including Telangana?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) & (d) The projected population of 18+ year persons, i.e. the population eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, in the country is about 94 crore and an amount of Rs. 35,000 crore has been budgeted for implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in the FY 2021-22.
The COVID-19 vaccination is an ongoing and dynamic process, which is being guided by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on the basis of concurrent scientific evidence. It is expected that beneficiaries aged 18 years and above will be vaccinated by December 2021.
Under the “Revised Guidelines for Implementation of National Covid Vaccination Program”, which is effective from 21st June 2021, the COVID-19 vaccines are procured by Government of India. The vaccines procured are provided free of cost to States/UTs as has been the case from the commencement of the National Vaccination Programme. These doses are being administered by the States/UTs free of cost to all citizens as per priority through Government vaccination centers. The domestic vaccine manufacturers have the option to provide 25% of their monthly vaccine production directly to private hospitals.

The vaccine procurement and distribution are facilitated by Government of India for all States/UTs to ensure equitable distribution and availability of COVID-19 vaccine across all States/UTs.
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