Raipur/Bhopal: The Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh governments are the latest states to announce that they will bear expenses of COVID-19 vaccination of everyone in the state above the age of 18 years.
The Centre announced two days ago that all above 18 will be eligible to get the vaccine from May 1.
Announcing the state government’s decision, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted that the state will take all possible steps to protect citizens’ lives.
छत्तीसगढ़ में 18 वर्ष से अधिक उम्र के लोगों को कोरोना वैक्सीन का भुगतान राज्य सरकार करेगी।
अपने नागरिकों की जीवन रक्षा के लिए हम हर संभव कदम उठाएंगे।
केंद्र सरकार से अनुरोध है कि वह पर्याप्त संख्या में वैक्सीन की उपलब्धता सुनिश्चित करे।
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) April 21, 2021
Soon after, the Madhya Pradesh CMO quoted CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan as saying that all aged above 18 years will be administered COVID vaccine free of cost in the state.
मध्यप्रदेश में 18 वर्ष से अधिक आयु के सभी प्रदेशवासियों को #CovidVaccine का निःशुल्क टीका लगाया जाएगा: मुख्यमंत्री श्री @ChouhanShivraj #MPFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/PlYHoe2BsW
— CMO Madhya Pradesh (@CMMadhyaPradesh) April 21, 2021
It remains to be seen if Odisha and other states take a cue and declare free vaccination for its people.
With the Centre allowing vaccines to be supplied in the open market from May 1, Serum Institute of India laid out the prices of Covishield for state governments and private hospitals.
Following are states (till date) to provide vaccine free to citizens:
Assam — 18 to 45 years
Uttar Pradesh — all above 18
Chhattisgarh — all above 18
Madhya Pradesh — all above 18
