Even as India is battling to contain the spread of the second wave of Covid-19, the central government announced that vaccinations will be opened to all aged above 18 from May 1. The vaccines are currently restricted in the country to people over the age of 45.

The government issued a statement that said, "Everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine against COVID-19. Vaccine manufacturers incentivised to further scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players. Vaccine manufacturers empowered to release up to 50 percent of their supply to state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price. Based on this price, state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments etc would be able to procure vaccine doses from the manufacturers. Private hospitals would have to procure their supplies of COVID-19 vaccine exclusively from the 50 percent supply earmarked for other than Government of India channel."

The Centre added, "The division of vaccine supply 50 percent to Government of India and 50 percent to other than Government of India channel would be applicable uniformly across for all vaccines manufactured in the country. Government of India, from its share, will allocate vaccines to States/UTs based on the criteria of extent of infection (number of active Covid cases) and performance (speed of administration). Wastage of vaccine will also be considered in this criteria and will affect the criteria negatively. Vaccination shall continue as before in Government of India vaccination centres, provided free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier i.e. Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age."

On January 3, two vaccines - Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India - were approved by India for restricted emergency use. The union health ministry also informed that 122,622,590 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far.

Everyone above 18 years to be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine from May 1 as Govt liberalises vaccination strategy

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2021