New Delhi : The formula of vaccine distribution has been shared by the Central Government before the Supreme Court. According to this, the state governments will be given about 2 crore doses in May for the population of 18-44 age group. It has also said that 85 crore doses of vaccine are expected to be produced this month. The Center said that it has also fixed quotas for dosages that need to be purchased by the states directly from the vaccine manufacturers.
The central government has said that these two crore doses will be sent to the states based on the number of people in the age group of 18-44, to ensure that the dose is distributed evenly. Some states have complained that their allocation is inadequate.
The response was filed in the Supreme Court by the central government at the end of last week. It states, “States are procuring vaccines from manufacturers. The central government, in consultation with the vaccine manufacturers, has set quotas based on the 18-44 (year) population of each state. States will only purchase fixed quantities of the vaccine, so that there is no disparity in vaccine availability between states.”
There are currently two vaccination campaigns in India. A dose is being given to people in the age group of 45 years or more. At the same time, vaccines are also being given to people in the age group of 18-44 from May 1. The central government is giving free doses for those 45 years or older.
The central government has made certain conditions mandatory for vaccine manufacturers in India. Accordingly, both widely used shots have been made in India. Companies have to supply 50 percent of the vaccine stock to the central government. Subsequently, the company can sell the vaccine to private buyers and state governments.
The two crore doses allocated this month for direct acquisition by the state governments are to be given free of cost only to those below 45 years of age. The rest, they will have to pay for shots of more than two million. According to a government figure, there are about 59.5 crore people between 18 and 44 years of age in India.