PM Modi announces free COVID vaccines for 18+ from June 21

NEW DELHI: Addressing the nation on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that free vaccinations be facilitated to citizens above 18 from all across the country starting from June 21.

"No state will have to spend money on vaccines", said the Prime Minister.

During the address, Modi said that research on nasal vaccines is underway, while two more vaccines are also in the pipeline.

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Modi added that last year, India was able to launch two made-in-India vaccines.

"This is the deadliest pandemic in the past 100 years. The modern world has not seen such a pandemic. Our country has fought this pandemic at many levels", Modi said.

He informed that new health infrastructure has been developed in the 1.5 years with COVID hospitals, ventilators beds, to preparing a network of testing labs. During the 2nd wave in April-May, demand for medical oxygen increased at an unprecedented rate.

He highlighted that about 50-60 back, India used to get vaccines decades after it is manufactured in abroad. While other countries would be done with the vaccines while India would not even start, he added.

Speaking further, Modi said that adhering to the COVID protocols including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are crucial in this war against the virus.

Modi also empathized with those who lost their loved ones.

He said that the government formulated guidelines for the states for effective Covid-19 vaccine procurement. The pace of procuring vaccines from abroad has been increased and two vaccines are in trial phases for children.

Seven companies are already producing vaccines in the country while trials of 3 vaccines are in trial stage. Modi added that the supply of vaccine will be increased in the coming days.

Modi also announced free ration for 80 crore people under Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana till Diwali.

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