Bengaluru: Amidst concerns over a slow vaccination drive and rising cases, the Karnataka government to allow private and government workplaces to conduct vaccination drive starting April 11.
Medical Education and Health Minister, Dr K Sudhakar told on April 7 that vaccinations will be distributed in private and government workplaces with at least 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries above the age of 45. The move is expected to accelerate the vaccination drive by opening more venues for distribution.
Starting 11th April, Covid-19 vaccination can be distributed in all private and government work places which have atleast 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries above 45 years of age. This will further accelerate the vaccination drive and ensure quicker and better coverage.
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) April 7, 2021
As the state faces a second wave, immunising people through vaccinations is at the heart of containing the outbreak. By diversifying vaccination venues, the government hopes to see more participation in the vaccination drive from the citizens.
Though the announcement did not specify a price cap on the vaccines, people expressed discontent over the age barrier that prevented them from getting vaccinated. There are many in other age groups that are willing to pay the set price to get their hands on the vaccine. In February 2021, Health Ministry had capped the price of vaccinations in private hospitals at Rs. 250 including the service charge of Rs 100. Private hospitals are expected to recover up to Rs 150 per dose.
Sir my only question is why can’t people who can afford the vaccine buy it irrespective of the age? There are people who can pay ?500 for the doses. Why let the vaccines get wasted for the people who don’t want to take them? Also karnataka has 6.9% of vaccine wastage. Request
— Rishabh Bang (@BangRishabh) April 7, 2021
Pls remove the age cut-off. Most in non-government offices are below 45. So doesn’t help in continuing our work without Covid scare. Plus more than 45 can anyway get vaccinated anywhere, so how doing it at offices will help?
— Vikash (@dismantlinglies) April 7, 2021
But the Union Health Ministry denied demands to erase age barrier on Covid vaccines stating that the vaccine is for those who need it and not for those who want it. The Ministry had categorized the above-45 age group as the most vulnerable and felt the need to immunise them at the earliest.
As of today, Karnataka witnessed the highest single-day spike of 6150 new cases. In total, there are 10,26,584 active cases with 12,696 deaths and 9,68,762 who have recovered.