Find out how much the Modi government can spend for the first phase of vaccination

New Delhi, 17 December 2020 Thursday

The first phase of COVID-19 vaccination in India could cost from Rs 10,312 crore (1. 1.4 billion) to Rs 13,259 crore (8 1.8 billion), even if India gets international help under the COVAX Global Vaccine Sharing Scheme. , A report by the GAVI Vaccine Alliance revealed this prediction.

It may be mentioned here that the Government of India is preparing to vaccinate about 300 million people in the first phase in the next 6 to 8 months. AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech can be vaccinated in India.

According to Reuters, India may need about 600 million doses of the vaccine in the first phase alone, while the first phase will vaccinate high-risk people like frontline workers and the elderly who face corona.

According to the agency, if India can get 25 crore doses of vaccine under COVAX facility, the government will have to spend Rs 10,312 crore for additional doses and if only up to 12.5 crore doses can be obtained, the government will have to spend Rs 13,259 crore for additional doses. In the 21st budget, about Rs 73,500 crore has been allocated for the health sector.

The COVAX plan will deliver diagnostic tests, drugs, and vaccines free of charge to poor and middle-income countries to meet with COVID-19, funded by the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT), created in April, by the World Health Organization and GAVI. Have been.

The Indian government has not disclosed how much it will spend on its vaccination program, but has said all resources will be mobilized to save lives.