Medical fraternity welcomes PM Modi's free COVID vaccine announcement

Medical fraternity welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of free COVID-19 vaccines to states. The PM, on Monday in his address speech to the nation announced a centralized procurement system for COVID-19 vaccines, beginning from June 21, with 25 per cent of the procurement being made available for private sector, as well as free vaccinations for everyone above the age of 18. He also announced a cap of Rs 150 on the amount private hospitals can charge over the cost of the purchase of the vaccine from the manufacturer. The centre's decision to procure 25 per cent of the state quota would also address states' financial concerns on vaccines. In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that research is underway on developing a nasal spray as an alternative to the coronavirus vaccine. The PM even said that if successful, it will give India's vaccination drive a major boost. The nasal vaccine is being designed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. The Prime Minister's announcement comes on a day when the country recorded 1,00,636 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest in over two months. The Prime Minister also announced that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will now be extended till the Diwali festival in November and the scheme will provide free food grains in fixed quantity every month to 80 crore people in the country.