“Delhi government has decided to provide free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. Today we have given the approval for the purchase of 1.34 crore vaccines. We will make an effort to ensure that it is purchased soon and administered at the earliest to people,” CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday.
Vaccinations will be open to all adults from Saturday, it was reported at the announcement by CM. At the same time Kejriwal made a plea to pharmaceutical companies developing the vaccine to lower the drugs’ cost for state governments.
“I appeal to vaccine manufacturers to bring down the price to Rs. 150/dose. You have an entire lifetime to earn profits. This is not the time to do that when there is a raging pandemic. I also appeal to the Central government to cap the price (of vaccines) if needed,” he said.
He said that vaccine producers should consider rolling out the supplies at the same cost they provide for the Central Government.
“One vaccine producer said that they’ll provide vaccines to the state governments at Rs 400 a dose and the second producer said that they’ll provide at Rs 600 a dose. Both of them will keep the price at Rs 150 a dose for the central government. I hope the prices remain the same for all,” added the Chief Minister.
Early reports suggested that this free vaccination is likely to be available for patients visiting Delhi Government-run hospitals. Those going to private hospitals will still have to pay for their Covid shots.