India to open Covid-19 vaccine drive for all above 18 years from May 1, says Centre

The Covid-19 vaccination drive will open for all persons above 18 years from May 1. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

The Centre had launched a nationwide vaccination drive on January 16 for healthcare and frontline workers and expanded it to those above 45 on April 1

During Monday's meeting, PM Modi said that the government had been working hard for over a year to ensure that most Indians get vaccines in the shortest



possible time. He added that India is vaccinating people at a record pace and this will continue with even greater momentum.

As part of the 'liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination', all persons above the age of 18 years will be eligible to get Covid-19 vaccine jabs.

In this phase, the state governments will be allowed to procure vaccines directly from the manufacturers. The vaccine manufacturers will also be allowed to sell the vials in the open market.