Prime Minister Modi: Corona Vaccine Free for All Indians Over 18 Years

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a televised speech on Monday that all adult Indians can be vaccinated against corona free of charge from June 21.

The federal government will also take over the vaccination policy of the federal states.

Under current policy, the federal government only provides free inoculations to the elderly and key caregivers. Vaccinating adults between the ages of 18 and 45 are left to the federal and private hospitals, which may charge a fee.

Private hospitals will also play a role in vaccination under the new policy, Modi said in his speech. A quarter of all vaccines will be distributed through private hospitals to those who prefer, for which they may charge a fee of up to 150 Indian rupees (1.70 euros).

Currently, about 180 million Indians, or 14 percent of the population, have received the first dose of a corona vaccine. 45 million people (3.4 percent) have received two doses.

On Monday, India registered more than 100,000 new infections. In May, there were more than 400,000 daily. The number of deaths is also falling. 2,500 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. The Indian Ministry of Health estimates the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic at just under 350,000. In reality, significantly more deaths would have occurred.