Even though the Government of India has allowed vaccination for people above 18 years of age, the Covid 19 vaccine will not be available to be bought in retails. Covid 19 vaccines will only be available in government-approved hospitals and centers.
Stocks of Covid 19 Vaccinations Will Be Reported Real-Time
As per the latest reports, the government has said that the Covid 19 vaccinations are a part of the National Vaccination Programme. It is mandated to follow all the protocols like the CoWIN platform which is linked to Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs) reporting and all the other prescribed norms.
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The government also said that the stocks and price per vaccination is applicable to all the vaccination centers. It will also be reported in real-time. A senior official explained that the use of Covid 19 vaccines is allowed under the Emergency Licensure. Following this, it cannot be sold in retail shops like chemists and pharmaceuticals.
He said that it is important to ensure that the Covid 19 vaccination is given in a proper setup. All the hospitals and the Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs), even the ones created at the workplaces are linked to ARFI. This ensures that there is a record maintained of the vaccination drive and if there is any reaction to the same.
The Union Government is expected to release an advisory for the doctors and the general public regarding the identification, investigation, and management of the AEFIs. They will also outline specific symptoms that are to be checked and managed after the vaccination.
Government of India Announces Vaccination For Citizens Above 18
The government of India recently announced that everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to take Covid vaccines from May 1. The decision was taken in a meeting that the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi chaired.
The government clarified that the vaccination will be provided for free to the eligible population. It includes Health Care Workers (HCWs), Frontline Workers (FLWs) and all the citizens above 45 years of age. The free Covid 19 vaccination will be available at the vaccination centres.
They also said that based on the price, the state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments may procure vaccines from the manufacturers themselves.
