Tamilnadu government to give free Covid vaccine to those above 18
The Tamilnadu government on Thursday said it will provide free COVID-19 vaccination for all from 1 May, when the next phase of inoculation drive covering all above 18 years would start.
The announcement comes a day after major vaccine maker Serum Institute of India announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine ”Covishield” for State governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.
Incidentally, Chief Minister K Palaniswami had last year announced that the government will provide the vaccine free of cost once it was ready and beneficiaries in the earlier phases–senior citizens and those above 45 with comorbidities and all over 45 years of age– have been inoculated at government hospitals at no cost.
Announcing the vaccination camp for those aged 18-45 years from next month as part of the third phase of the inoculation drive, the state government said districts which were the most affected by the pandemic will be prioritised in conducting the free camps.