Sena MP thanks Centre for opening vaccination to every adult
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has thanked the central government for allowing everyone above 18 years of age to get vaccinated against COVID-19 from May 1. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had earlier requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide on vaccinating all those aged above 25. Here are more details.
Maharashtra government's demand was non-political: Chaturvedi
On Monday, the Centre announced that everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. Chaturvedi wrote a letter to Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Monday, saying the Maharashtra government's demand was "non-political." She said Thackeray and chief ministers of many other states had made a similar request.
Thankful that government has reduced the eligibility age: Chaturvedi
"Although there was an unnecessary political war of words that ensued to a non-political request, I am thankful that the government has chosen to reduce the eligibility age to 18," the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter. The central government has also liberalized the vaccination drive to allow states, private hospitals, and industrial establishments to procure the doses directly from manufacturers.
Proper planning will be done to vaccinate all adults: Thackeray
After the Centre's announcement on Monday, Thackeray said proper planning will be done in Maharashtra (to vaccinate everyone above 18 years) and expressed hope that the state will receive vaccines on time.
Second doses of eligible groups will be given on priority
The Health Ministry said, "Vaccination shall continue as before in government of India vaccination centers, provided free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier i.e. Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age." The second dose for existing eligible groups will be given on priority. India had launched its vaccination drive on January 16.
