Arvind Kejriwal announces FREE vaccine for all those above 18 years - Check latest Delhi corona update

In a major step to stop the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in the national capital, the Delhi government has said it will provide the COVID-19 vaccine for free to all those above 18 years of age. This was announced today by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.  The announcement comes ahead of the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive that is scheduled to begin from May 1 and will aim at vaccinating everyone above 18.

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Chief Minister Kejriwal said that a detailed plan being prepared for the vaccination programme on large scale and the Delhi government to procure 1.34 crore COVID-19 vaccines. "We will make an effort to ensure that it is purchased soon and administered at the earliest to people," he added.

This is likely to be only for Delhi Government-run hospitals. Those going to private hospitals will still have to pay for their Covid vaccines. While opening up vaccinations in the latest round from May 1, the Central government announced changes to its policy so that states and private hospitals can buy vaccines directly from the manufacturers.

"One vaccine producer said that they'll provide vaccines to the state governments at Rs 400/dose and the second producer said that they'll provide at Rs 600/dose. Both of them will keep the price at Rs 150/dose for the Central govt. I hope that the prices remain the same for all," Kejriwal said.
Earlier on Sunday, Kejriwal had extended the complete lockdown in the national capital by one more week due to the deteriorating COVID-19 situation. The COVID-19-induced lockdown in Delhi which was supposed to be in effect till April 26 morning will now remain in place till May 3.

On Sunday, Delhi reported 22,933 new coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 30.21 per cent. This is the fourth day on the trot that the national capital has recorded over 300 COVID-19 related fatalities.  With the recent surge, Delhi's cumulative COVID-19 tally has increased to 10,27,715, whereas, the death toll stands at 14,248. The total number of active cases has now climbed to 94,592.