Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 16: The state government is considering offering free vaccination to most BPL families and the elderly with comorbid conditions. Currently, the centre has said that Covid vaccines will be given to health care and essential workers free of charge in the initial stage of the mass vaccination drive. And only after 60 percent of the first phase is over, the decision on pricing for the general population will be taken.

Rajesh Tope, state health minister wants the benefits to be extended to other vulnerable sections as well. "I have said at every video conference that vaccination should be provided free of cost by the Indian government. I will write to the union health ministry about this next week," Tope said.

"We need 17.5 lac vials to ensure 100 percent coverage for healthcare workers, but we have received only 9.8 lac so far," Tope said. He further said that he would highlight the need to disperse the remaining 7.7 lac for the state within the next ten days to the Central health ministry.

If the Centre does not take up the task, the state government would consider shouldering the task, Tope said.