As India inches closer towards universal vaccination for all legal adults in the nation, some states in the country have announced free COVID-19 vaccines starting May 1. Here’s the full list. By Bayar Jain
In an effort to speed up the country’s fight against the pandemic, some states have rolled out free COVID-19 vaccines starting May 1. This comes in line with the nation’s phased vaccination drive, the latest of which allows all legal adults of the country to get inoculated post registration on the official COWIN portal.
Andhra Pradesh
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As mass inoculation begins its next phase, Andhra Pradesh’s state government will do so free of cost at all government-run healthcare facilities.
Assam
Starting May 1, every legal adult in Assam can get the COVID-19 vaccine for free, says the state’s Health Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma to the media.
Bihar
Taking to Twitter to announce this development, Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, says that all those aged 18 and above can avail free COVID-19 vaccines.
Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reportedly told the media that the state government will bear the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for all those above 18 years of age starting May 1.
Goa
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As per media reports, while the Goan government will initially be procuring only five lakh doses of Serum Institute’s AstraZeneca-based Covishield, the same will be administered free of cost to people aged between 18 to 45.
Gujarat
Free COVID-19 vaccinations will be provided to all eligible adults.
Jharkhand
Jharkhand, too, has initiated free jabs for everyone aged over 18.
Haryana
Free COVID-19 vaccines can only be availed at government-run hospitals in Haryana, state media reports.
Himachal Pradesh
After providing free COVID-19 jabs to people aged 45 and above, the state government has now decided to bear the expenses for those aged 18 and above, too.
Kerala
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Kerala is currently providing COVID-19 vaccines for free, and will continue to do so going forward as well.
Madhya Pradesh
The Coronavirus prevention shots can be availed for free starting May 1.
Maharashtra
Owing to the rampant spread of the virus in the state, the authorities have decided to make COVID-19 vaccines free for all starting May 1.
New Delhi
The state government recently announced that citizens of Delhi can get inoculated at no extra costs starting May 1. Speaking to the media about the same, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal further appealed to manufacturers to slash prices to facilitate quick vaccination for all, and stray away from profit-making models at the moment.
Odisha
Apart from announcing complimentary COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible adults in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reportedly placed an order of three lakh doses for the same purpose as well.
Punjab
According to media reports, free COVID-19 vaccines in Punjab will be rolled out at a limited capacity as the same has only been reserved for healthcare facilities currently.
Rajasthan
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Speaking to the media about the same, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reportedly said inoculations in the state will be free for people aged 18 and above. Reportedly, the authorities have decided to spend INR 3,000 crore in this regard.
Sikkim
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang reportedly said that the state government will bear the cost of vaccines if the Centre doesn’t.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that it will offer free COVID-19 vaccines for all adults. However, the same is currently restricted only to government-run hospitals.
Telangana
According to media reports, the state government has set aside INR 2,500 crore to facilitate free COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible adults.
Uttar Pradesh
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Uttar Pradesh will inoculate every legal adult, free of cost.
West Bengal
Election-bound West Bengal’s current state government has decided to provide COVID-19 vaccines free of cost to eligible citizens.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on #IndiaFightsCorona for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: COVID-19 Vaccination: Dos And Don’ts
