New Delhi: Everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 from May 1, the central government said on Monday and also liberalised the vaccination drive to allow states, private hospitals and industrial establishments to procure the doses directly from manufacturers.
After the Centre announced Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination drive some states came forward and announced that they would provide free vaccines to people aged above 18.
Following is the list of States that have offered free COVID-19 vaccination:
1. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on April 20, 2021 announced that the state has decided to vaccinate all eligible beneficiaries free of cost from May 1st.
2. Madhya Pradesh
The cabinet meeting chaired by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on April 21, 2021 announced that all adults aged above 18 years will be provided free COVID-19 vaccination in the state from May 1st.
3. Assam
The State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Centre is giving free vaccines to people aged above 45 years. The government has decided to give free vaccines to everyone aged between 18 to 45 years.
4. Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced free CoVID-19 vaccination for all above 18 years of age.
5. Kerala
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on April 21, 2021 announced that the state will vaccinate all eligible beneficiaries free of cost from 1 May.
6. Sikkim
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on April 21, 2021 announced o that the state will provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens between 18 to 45 years. He said that the state will bear the cost of the vaccines if the centre does not.
7. Bihar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the state government will bear the cost of vaccinating all its citiznes above the age of 18 years from May 1st.