COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Nearly 12 crore jabs to be available for vaccination in June, says health ministry

In May, a total number of 7,94,05,200 doses were available for the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. (Representative image: Reuters)

To vaccinate people against the novel coronavirus infection nearly 12 crore vaccine doses will be available in states and union territories in June through the free of cost channel and direct state procurement said the Union Health Ministry on May 30.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the central government has been providing COVID vaccines to the states and UTs free of cost. On May 1, it implemented the 'Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy' wherein 50 percent of the available doses are earmarked for supply to states and UTs, as free of cost supply from the Centre, while the remaining is available for direct procurement from the vaccine manufacturers by states, UTs and private hospitals.

In June, 6.09 crore (6,09,60,000) doses of COVID vaccines will be supplied to the states and UTs for vaccination of priority group of healthcare workers (HCWs), frontline workers (FLWs) and people aged 45 years and above as free of cost from the Centre, said the ministry in a release issued on the day.

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In addition, more than 5.86 crore (5,86,10,000) doses will be available for direct procurement by the states, UTs and private hospitals, read the release.

Therefore, in June 2021 close to 12 crore (11,95,70,000) doses will be available for the national COVID vaccination programme, it said.

The delivery schedule for this allocation of COVID-19 vaccine will be shared in advance, the ministry stated.

Also read | COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: 30.3 lakh doses administered in India on May 29

The objective behind informing about the availability of vaccines in advance is to ensure better planning and delivery of vaccine by states and UTs, it said.

In May, a total number of 7,94,05,200 doses were available for the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Of these, more than 4.03 crore (4,03,49,830) vaccine doses were made available by the Union Government free of cost and more than 3.90 crore (3,90,55,370) doses were available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals.

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