Health minister clarifies on a free vaccine, said – 3 crore health workers and frontline workers will get a free vaccine

Pune, January 2, 2021: Today, a dry run of the Coronavirus vaccine is going on in all states and union territories. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has given a big statement on the vaccine. In a statement, the Health Minister has said that the coronavirus vaccine will be given to people across the country for free.

As soon as the corona vaccine is free in Delhi, will it be free in all states as well? When asked this question, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, ‘The corona vaccine will be free not only in Delhi but in the whole country.

Approval of emergency use of Covishield

A day earlier, a 10-member committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approved the emergency use of ‘Covishield’, a corona vaccine in Oxford. However, approval is yet to be received from the Drug Controller General of India.

The Expert Panel convened a meeting on behalf of the Serum Institute of India (SII) to decide on the Emergency Use Authority sought by ‘Covishield’ and Bharat Biotech for ‘Covaxin’. Once the committee cleared the way for the vaccine, the application for final approval has been sent to the Indian Drug Controller General (DCGI) VG Somani.

Britain and Argentina have already approved Covishield. More than five crore doses of the vaccine have already been stored by its manufacturer, Serum Institute of India, Pune. The Health Ministry said that the decision on Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is still awaited.

The covid-19 vaccine has been allowed to be import and export 

The central government has also allowed import and export of Covid-19 vaccine without any price limit for fast approval and distribution. The Central Board of Direct Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has relaxed the regulations for import and export of Covid-19 vaccine through couriers in places where Express Cargo Disposal System (ECCS) is operational.

Import and export of vaccine are permitted without any price limit in respect of Covid-19. The CBIC said that it is necessary to store and transport the vaccine at a controlled temperature and there are many aspects involved. In such a situation, an effective arrangement is necessary for rapid evacuation of the vaccine between the boundaries.