Which states have announced free COVID-19 vaccines from May 1? Check full list here

As the nation grapples under the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, facing a shortage of essential resources including medical oxygen, anti-viral drugs as well as vaccines, states have taken extraordinary steps to fight the ongoing health crisis. From importing vaccines to bearing the cost of large-scale inoculation, States have strengthened efforts to curb the spread of the deadly infection which has claimed 1,82,553 lives so far.

Here’s how states are preparing to vaccinate their citizens and to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission:

Haryana

In a meeting of state-level COVID monitoring committee, chaired by Haryana CM, it has been decided to give free vaccine to everyone above the age of 18 yrs at government hospitals in the state. Registration to begin from 28th April, only those who have registered will get vaccine

Maharashtra

Joining other states, Maharashtra govt on Sunday, announced that it will vaccinate all those above 18 years free of cost from May 1. Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik stated that the govt will float a global tender to attract international vaccines as part of the state's immunisation drive. Clarifying that the Centre will not offer free vaccines to those below 18 years, he said that currently Covishield cost Rs 400/dose and Covaxin Rs 600/dose for state govts while Centre's procurement was at Rs 150/dose.

Jammu-Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir will provide COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to people in the 18-45 age group, the office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan CMO issued a statement: The Rajasthan government has decided to offer free Covid vaccine to all the people above 18 years of age in the state by spending an amount of about 3000 crore rupees.

Telangana

Telangana CMO issued a statement:  Covid vaccination has already been given to over 35 lakh people out of a population of about 4 crore in the state of Telangana. Vaccination should be given free of cost to all those in the state, irrespective of age

Sikkim

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday announced that State government will provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens between 18 to 45 years. He said the State government will bear the cost of the vaccines of the people in the age group of 18-45 if the Centre does not bear the cost.  Sikkim now has 536 active COVID-19 cases, while 6,023 patients have recovered from the disease.

Bihar

The Bihar government announced that it will provide free COVID vaccination to all adults. CM Kumar said that the State government will bear the cost of administering jabs to all citizens of the State above 18 years of age starting from May 1. From the beginning, the state government has been providing vaccine to its natives of all the categories without any payment, in the government as well as in the listed private hospitals across the state. 

Kerala

Kerala CM declared that the State Govt would provide the vaccine against COVID-19 free of cost for everyone in the State. "Vaccines will be provided free of cost for everyone in Kerala. We don't have the habit of changing our stance like others. We had announced free vaccines in the State," he said. CM further added, "The Centre has asked the State governments to purchase the vaccine from the vaccine-makers. The governments are already reeling under a financial crisis. This decision will create an additional burden on State governments."

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has declared that the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of cost to all adults in the state from May 1 onwards. This decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting on a day when the state reported 29,754 fresh cases and 162 deaths.

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government has also announced all adults above the age of 18 years would be provided free Covid-19 vaccination in the state from May 1. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. With this, Madhya Pradesh has become the third BJP-ruled state to announce free Covid-19 vaccination for all adults.

Assam

The Assam government has also decided to vaccinate its residents free of cost. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that everyone from 18 to 45 years of age will be vaccinated for free. Sarma further added that funds collected through 'Assam Arogya Nidhi' will be utilised for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. The minister further informed that the state government has already placed an order for 1 crore doses with Bharat Biotech for its Covaxin doses. 

Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh government has also joined the list of states providing free COVID-19 vaccines to all adults from May 1. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel stressed that his government would take all possible steps to save the lives of people. He also requested the Centre to ensure the availability of an adequate number of vaccine doses to the state.

A day earlier, the state government had sought details on how vaccine production will be boosted. While a total of 45,86,307 persons have been inoculated in the state till now, 5,50,364 of them have received the second dose of the vaccine too.

Goa

Goa CM Pramod Sawant has stated that vaccines will be administered free of cost to people between the 18-45 age group. He added that his govt will be placing an order initially for 5 lakh doses of COVID19 vaccines directly from the manufacturer and altogether 15 lakh plus doses will be procured at a cost of over ₹ 60 Crores.

West Bengal

Addressing a rally in Bengal's Tapan, the West Bengal Chief Minister said that all above the age of 18 years will be getting free vaccine doses after May 2 - Bengal election result day. BJP too has promised free vaccines on being voted to power. Bengal's remaining phases are scheduled on April 26, April 29 and results are set to be announced on May 2

Tamil Nadu

Similarly, Tamil Nadu state government too has announced that free vaccines will be available free of cost to all sections of the population above 18+  from May 1. The state govt has also announced special vaccination camps from May 1 for construction labourers, migrant workers, market workers, owners of retail outlets, transport staff, govt staff, college, school teaching staff, auto drivers aged between 18 yrs and 45 yrs on a priority basis. Tamil Nadu, where polls have just ended, has already offered free vaccines to all in state government hospitals till date.

Jharkhand

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday night said that his government will provide COVID-19 vaccine to people above 18 years of age for free.

Himachal pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday said it will provide COVID vaccine free of cost to people between 18 and 44 years from May 1.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to provide free covid-19 vaccine for all those who are above the age of 18 years

SII Unveils Covishield as India allows vaccines to all

On April 19, the Centre announced that everyone above 18 years of age would be eligible for Covid-19 vaccination from May 1. It also allowed private hospitals and states to purchase vaccine doses directly from manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers will be free to supply 50% doses to state governments and in the open market, for which they will have to make an advance declaration of the price before May 1. On Wednesday, the Serum Institute of India said it will provide its Covishield vaccine at Rs 400 per dose to state governments and Rs 600 per dose to private hospitals from May 1. 

A total of 11,12,87,780 persons have been inoculated in India till now, 1,78,09,646 of them have received the second dose of the vaccine too.