Speed Post News Network
New Delhi :More than 149.70 crore (1,49,70,76,985) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category. Over 16.93 Cr (16,93,09,031) balance and unutilised COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of Covid-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. The new phase of universalisation of Covid-19 vaccination commenced on June 21, 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive,the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them Covid Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalisation of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs, according to a PIB release.