Centre issues new COVID-19 guidelines: From age criterion to vaccine price, here's all you need to know - In Pics

The Union government on Monday (April 19) announced the vaccination that is now open for all above the age of 18 years. The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination will start on Saturday (May 1) across the country.

Every Indian citizen above 18 years of age will be eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations irrespective of comorbidities. You will need to register yourself in order to get vaccinated. The government has designed CoWIN app that takes the registration for COVID-19 vaccines. 

Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday (April 21) announced the prices for its vaccine; Rs 400 per dose to states, and Rs 600 per dose to hospitals. Bharat Biotech and Dr Reddy’s (which will distribute the Russian Sputnik V shot) have not made an announcement yet.

While vaccine manufacturers would have to supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the Government of India, they would be free to supply the remaining 50 per cent doses to state governments and in the open market.

Private vaccination providers will have to transparently declare their self-set vaccination price. The eligibility through this channel would be opened up to all adults, i.e. everyone above the age of 18.

The Centre's vaccination programme will continue as before, providing free of cost vaccination to health care workers (HCWs), front line workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age.

50-50 per cent distribution of vaccine to the Centre and others will be applied uniformly across for all vaccines manufactured in the country and on the other hand, imported vaccines will be allowed to be utilised in the other than Government of India channel.

The Central government will allot vaccines from its shares to states and union territories based on the criteria of the extent of infection and performance based on the speed of administration. India is witnessing the second wave of COVID-19 and with a scarcity of ventilators, hospital beds, medicines and oxygen. The government has administered 12.38 crore of COVID-19 Vaccine doses as of Monday (April 19).