Decision on vaccine funding for 50+ within 10 days: Niti Aayog member

The Centre will, within 10 days, decide the funding plan for phase 3 of Covid vaccinations, which involves those aged 50 and above.

Nisha Nambiar
  • Updated On Feb 11, 2021 at 04:59 AM IST
<p>Of the total 7,404 sessions planned across Karnataka, 7,337 sites have administered the jab.</p>
Of the total 7,404 sessions planned across Karnataka, 7,337 sites have administered the jab.
Pune: The Centre will, within 10 days, decide the funding plan for phase 3 of Covid vaccinations, which involves those aged 50 and above.

An estimated 27 crore people are likely to be a part of this phase, which is set to start in March.

But it’s still unclear if vaccines will be free for this group. Currently, health and frontline workers are receiving their jabs for free as the central government has agreed to pay for doses.

Experts said phase 3 will need at least 60 crore doses.

Dr Vinod Paul, Niti Aayog member (health) and chairman of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, said the government hasn’t yet decided if it’s fully funding phase 3 or splitting the cost between states. “It will come out with guidelines within the next 10 days,” he said.

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Dr Paul said many options were being discussed, including the possibility of allowing corporates to deploy CSR funds to vaccinate staffers and local communities.

A source in the health ministry said cost of the third phase may be shared between the Centre and states.

“A decision is expected soon. The Centre may not fully fund phase 3. But it’s not expecting states to do so either,” the source said. Many states have written to the Centre seeking clarity on funding.

In Maharashtra, health minister Rajesh Tope said the state is willing to pay for 50-plus individuals who are below the poverty line. Director of health services, Dr Archana Patil, said with the Union budget announcing a special allocation for Covid, the Centre should, ideally, fund phase 3 too as it has the highest number of beneficiaries.

  • Published On Feb 11, 2021 at 04:55 AM IST
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