Firms In Tamil Nadu Pledge A Million Free Vaccines In Private Hospitals

Chief Minister MK Stalin launched this programme in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital on Wednesday, where a few hundred people had gathered to take vaccines.

A million people in Tamil Nadu would get free COVID-19 vaccines at private hospitals before the end of this year. Companies in the state, largely around 1,500 of them, have pledged to fund this drive through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) plans. They will give Rs 75 crore to begin with. Chief Minister MK Stalin launched this programme in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital on Wednesday, where a few hundred people had gathered to take vaccines. A Chennai resident, Meena, got her first dose for free at this private hospital, minutes after she walked in. This is Tamil Nadu government's new strategy to use the 25 per cent vaccines allocated to private hospitals. So far only 5 per cent has been used. Private hospitals would also offer free doses as per their CSR plans, besides waiving the service fee for the sponsored vaccination.