News Analysis India

Tag: Chhattisgarh vaccine

  • COVID-19 vaccination for 18-44 age group postponed in Chhattisgarh

    By ANI
    RAIPUR: After the Chhattisgarh High Court raised objections to the state’s vaccination policy prioritising ‘Antyodaya Card’ holders, the state government has postponed the COVID-19 vaccination drive for citizens aged 18-44.

    “Considering the High Court’s directives over the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, inoculation of the 18 to 44 age group has been postponed until amendments have been done,” the government’s letter said.

    The high court had on Wednesday asked the state government to fix a reasonable ratio of allotment of vaccines to the ‘Antyodaya Group’, persons belonging to ‘below poverty line’ and persons belonging to ‘above poverty line’, with reference to all relevant aspects.

    During the hearing, the bench asked the state government if they were permitted to reshuffle the order issued by the central government.

    Other questions included – did the state government take approval from the cabinet before passing the said order? Is not giving such priority a violation of constitutional rights and provisions? How will the decision taken by you help the poor? Why was there no vaccination where there is more infection?

    The high court issued an amendment order according to its questions and fixed the next hearing on Friday.

  • People above 18 to get free COVID-19 vaccine in Chhattisgarh

    By PTI
    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday announced free COVID-19 vaccine for all people above the age of 18 in the state. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the state government will pay for the coronavirus vaccination of people over 18 years of age, according to an official release here. “We will take all possible steps to protect the lives of our citizens,” the release quoted Baghel as saying.

    On April 19, the Centre had announced that everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination from May 1, while private hospitals and states will be able to buy doses from manufacturers. The Chief Minister requested the central government to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines for Chhattisgarh, which has seen a spurt in COVID-19 cases.

    Baghel appealed to eligible beneficiaries to get themselves vaccinated against coronavirus to prevent serious complications caused by the infection. He said that Chhattisgarh ranks fourth in the country in giving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to the age group above 45 years. “If we talk about vaccination of people aged 60 and above, then Chhattisgarh is fifth in the country after Ladakh, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Tripura,” he said.

    The CM said 88 per cent of the healthcare workers and 92 per cent the frontline workers have been given the first dose of the vaccine. Baghel said that so far, 51,25,640 vaccine doses have been administered to beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh, .