COVID Vaccine: Centre To Provide States & UTs 1.9 Cr Doses Free Of Cost Within May

New Delhi: Even as most states have been complaining of inadequate availability of vaccines, the Union government said on Friday it will distribute a total of 1 crore 92 lakh doses of Covishield and Covaxin to the states and union territories free of cost within 15 days.

These vaccines comprise 162.5 lakh doses of Covishield and 29.49 lakh Covaxin.

Making the announcement, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar informed that the vaccines will be delivered during the fortnight of May 16 to 31.

Javadekar said that the delivery schedule will be shared with States and UTs in advance. The states have been requested to ensure rational and judicious utilization of allocated doses and minimize vaccine wastage.

The minister stated that 4.39 crore doses have so far been made available in May for direct procurement by states and UTs, as well as private hospitals.

Around 18 crore doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in India thus far.

Fifty per cent of available doses have been earmarked for supply to the Centre from May 1, which are distributed free of cost to states and UTs. As for the remaining 50 per cent, the states, UTs and private hospitals can place orders directly to vaccine manufacturers.