Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the federal government would provide coronavirus vaccines free of charge to all adults, taking over the task of vaccination from state governments. In a televised address to the nation, Modi said: "Today, a decision has been taken that Centre will now also bear the responsibility of 25 percent of the work related to vaccination with the states." "From Monday, June 21, in every state of the country, for all citizens above the age of 18 years, the Government of India will provide free vaccine to the states. Government of India itself will buy 75 percent of the total vaccine production from vaccine manufacturers and give it free to the state governments." Those who want to pay can visit the private hospitals can still buy 25 percent of the vaccine shots directly from manufacturers. "Seventy-five percent of vaccination will be free and under the Centre, 25% will be paid and by private hospitals," PM Modi said. Modi's address to the nation comes at a time when India registered its lowest COVID-19 infections in two months with just over 100,000 fresh cases. The daily virus-related deaths have also come down while the number of active cases in the country has decreased to 1.4 million. The Indian premier also announced that the federal government-run free food scheme would continue till Diwali (a festival of lights) to provide food to the poor. Modi commended the efforts of his administration in managing the pandemic, urging citizens to follow coronavirus protocols in order to defeat this "invisible and mutating" enemy. "During the second wave, the demand for medical oxygen in the country increased unimaginably in the months of April and May. Never in the history of India has the need for medical oxygen been felt in such quantity." — Agencies
