New vaccine policy came after weeks of evaluation and deliberations: Government

The government said on Tuesday it had been evaluating the implementation of the decentralised model of vaccination since its launch on May 1 and that the decision to centralise it again was taken after detailed deliberations and following requests by some states, amid claims by the Opposition that the policy change was due to the Supreme Court’s intervention. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre would take over the state procurement quota and provide free jabs to state governments for inoculation of all above the age of 18 from June 21.

The opposition parties claimed that the new guidelines for vaccination were issued after the Supreme Court questioned the Centre’s policy of paid vaccination for the 18-44 age group.