Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says states cannot afford to buy vaccine
With the Covid situation worsening in the country and vaccine shortage being a major issue, the Central Government had declared that the vaccines need to be bought by the state governments. But Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan had written to the centre stating that the state governments cannot afford to buy vaccines for 1.65 crore people as it will lead to severe financial crisis. He requested the Centre to support the state by providing vaccines free of cost.
As per Centre’s guidelines, people in the age group of 18-45 were asked to buy the vaccine at the cost of Rs.400 from Government hospitals and Rs.600 from private hospitals. Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated that vaccines will be provided free of cost to all over 18 years of age, he requested people who already received the vaccine to donate to the CM Relief Fund to ensure vaccines for all. It has been reported that the fund has already received more than 1.5 crore as donations . He took to social media to share his thoughts. He wrote, “Vaccination shouldn’t be for just those who can afford it. Kerala will uphold independent India’s policy of free and universal vaccination. We will keep our word to the people. Maximum vaccination leading to herd immunity is our best defence against #COVID19India.”
