The health ministry on informed the lok sabha on friday that the central government is expecting to inoculatel the entire adult population of the country against the Covid-19 virus by the end of the December. At the same the ministry asserted that there is "no fixed timeline at present" to complete the national vaccination drive.
Minister of State for health Bharati Pravin Pawar said that 135 corore doses of vaccines will be available between august and December. She said these while giving a written reply to questions posed by trinamool congress member Mala Roy. She also said that a total of Rs 9725.15 crore has been spent so far in the vaccination programme which includes vaccine procurement and operation cost of vaccination.
In the response she also said there was no delay in vaccine procurement from the manufacturers. Advance payments "have also been made for the orders" placed with vaccine-makers, the heatlh ministry said.
Health experts have insisted on a speedy vaccination programme because it is India's best bet against the pandemic, especially when fears of a third wave are looming.
With over 130 crore population, india began its inoculation drive in January, with health care workers on priority list in the first phase. The list was widened in the month of february by including frontline workers. In the monthe of March, people all above 60 and 44+ with comorbidities were announced eligible for vaccination by the government. In April, the comorbidity clause was dropped, and people all above 44 were made eligible for the drive. Later in May, vaccination was announced for entire adult population.
Minister of State for health Bharati Pravin Pawar said that 135 corore doses of vaccines will be available between august and December. She said these while giving a written reply to questions posed by trinamool congress member Mala Roy. She also said that a total of Rs 9725.15 crore has been spent so far in the vaccination programme which includes vaccine procurement and operation cost of vaccination.
In the response she also said there was no delay in vaccine procurement from the manufacturers. Advance payments "have also been made for the orders" placed with vaccine-makers, the heatlh ministry said.
Health experts have insisted on a speedy vaccination programme because it is India's best bet against the pandemic, especially when fears of a third wave are looming.
With over 130 crore population, india began its inoculation drive in January, with health care workers on priority list in the first phase. The list was widened in the month of february by including frontline workers. In the monthe of March, people all above 60 and 44+ with comorbidities were announced eligible for vaccination by the government. In April, the comorbidity clause was dropped, and people all above 44 were made eligible for the drive. Later in May, vaccination was announced for entire adult population.
