Centre Defends Vaccine Policy, Says Reports Of Inequities "Baseless"

The centre said the policy facilitates better access and reduces the operational stress on Government Vaccination facilities.

The centre on Saturday defended its liberalised vaccine policy and said the media reports suggesting inequities in distribution of doses were "inaccurate and speculative in nature". It said the vaccine policy that came into effect from May 1 reduces the "operational stress" on state-run vaccination facilities. Reports of inequities in distribution of #COVID19vaccines are completely baseless.Pvt hospitals across the country received 1.2 cr doses in May ‘21 procured in a transparent manner & helping drive efficiencies in world's #LargestVaccineDrive.https://t.co/WcShuZQZ4A@PMOIndia "It is reiterated that the Liberalised Vaccine policy, which envisages a larger role for the private sector and the centre, is setting aside 25% of vaccines for the private sector. This mechanism facilitates better access and reduces the operational stress on Government Vaccination facilities in terms of those who could afford to pay and would prefer to go to a private hospital," it said in a statement. Union Health Minister Harsh Varshan also tweeted that the reports of inequities in distribution were "baseless".