COVID-19 vaccine: UP, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, Assam make it free; others may follow
The pricing of the vaccine should not largely bother the common man since everyone turning up at government healthcare units are getting it free of cost even if there has been no formal announcement to make the jab free
Even as the bigger of the two COVID vaccine manufacturers in India announced pricing of its product, at many as half a dozen states have announced that they would bear the entire of cost of the vaccination. These states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and Chhattisgarh.
Between them, these seven states account for close to 50 crore, people which is almost the combined total population of the US and Brazil.
According to the Union government, from May 1 the vaccination programme, that has been dubbed the largest in the world, will also include anyone above the age of 18.
More than 161 crore vaccines needed
According to 2001 census the percentage of people above 18 years is 58.9. Assuming the share of those above 18 years still at that number, a total of 80.48 crore persons have to be given the vaccine.
Since each person needs two shots, a total of about 161 crore vaccines will be required to fortify these people against the virus (conservatively assuming the population of the country at 136.64 crore).
According to the Serum Institute of India (SII), their vaccine Covishield will be priced at Rs 400 for state governments and Rs 600 for private sector healthcare units.
The decision of the six state governments pre-empts concern among a large section of the population, especially at the bottom of the financial pyramid.
According to an agreement, SII sells the vaccines to the Centre at Rs 150 a jab. However, from May 1, it will charge the state governments Rs 400 for each vaccine.
Uttar Pradesh, second worst-hit
Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, that is one of the worst-hit states, tweeted on April 20:“.. in the meeting of the Council of Ministers today it has been decided that coronavirus vaccination of all the people above 18 years of age in Uttar Pradesh will be made free… Coronavirus will lose, India will win.”
Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, had total active cases of more than 2 lakh. The state recorded fresh cases of 28,287 on Wednesday and 167 deaths, the highest single-day tally for the state.
In Bihar, as many as 10,455 fresh cases were reported on April 21.
Pinarai Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, pointed out on April 21 that the vaccine will be free for the common man, but will put great stress on the state exchequer since the price of vaccine is going up.
Even before the pricing of the vaccine was announced, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a lucky draw in districts to encourage people to take the vaccine.
In districts where more than 25,000 persons have taken both the vaccines there will be four gifts in the draw. The number of gifts were more in districts where those taking vaccines were more than 50,000.
On April 21, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that vaccines will be free for all above 18 years.
Assam Arogya Nidhi to fund
In Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government will inoculate all between 18 and 45 years. Those above 45 years are already being given the vaccine by the Centre, justified Bis Sarma adding that the money collected in Assam Arogya Nidhi Trust in 2020 will be used to purchase vaccines.
Incidentally, other states such as West Bengal are Maharashtra are also administering free vaccines to anyone who is turning up at government hospitals but are yet to announce it formally.
“Perhaps all states are giving COVID vaccines in government healthcare centres for free,” said an official of the state health department in Kolkata.
Rs 100 crore fund set aside
On April 22, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state government has set aside Rs 100 crore for emergency use for COVID-19. Though she did not state it explicitly, a part of it might be used to procure vaccines.
“Around 93 lakh of the 10 crore population has been vaccinated. At least 1 crore vaccines are immediately required for the state and a letter has been sent to the Centre,” said Mamata.
Around 40,000 persons are being vaccinated in Bengal every day.
The programme to vaccinate those above 18 years will start from May 5, she said.