Health Minister

Delhi, Jan 02: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that COVID-19 vaccines would be free of cost across the country.

“Not just in Delhi, it (vaccine) will be free across the country,” Harsh Vardhan said while speaking to reporters.

The health minister was asked if the coronavirus vaccine will be provided free after he visits a hospital in Delhi, where he went to review the dry run of the vaccination drive. The vaccine dry run was being conducted on Saturday in all states and Union Territories.

A video conference was also held under the chairmanship of the Delhi health secretary on Friday for conducting a dry run for COVID vaccination at three selected sites, one each in Central District, Shahdara District, and southwest district, according to the latest health bulletin.

From installing freezers to setting up cold chain equipment, arrangements are being made at a Delhi government hospital here for storing the vaccine, whenever it arrives.

The Delhi government is fully prepared to receive, store and administer COVID-19 vaccine to 51 lakh priority category persons in the city in the first phase of vaccination, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said on December 24.

These persons include the healthcare workers, frontline workers, people aged above 50, and those below 50 years but with co-morbidities.