NEW DELHI: The third phase of vaccination against Covid-19, for citizens who are above the age of 50 years and those who are younger but with serious co-morbidities, is likely to begin in March, possibly around the middle of the month, health minister Harsh Vardhan said in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Vardhan was replying to a bunch of questions on vaccination during question hour that lasted barely 15 minutes, with the opposition members protesting against the contentious farm bills.
The government had recently indicated that the over-50 group would receive shots soon and there might be an initial preference for persons over 60 years.
Health minister Harsh Vardhan said so far 22 countries have asked India for the vaccine to be provided. “Of them, the government has provided 15 countries with the vaccine either as aid or through an agreement. Till February 1, 56 lakh doses of grant assistance and 105 lakh doses on contract basis have been sent to these nations,” he said.
So far, over five million beneficiaries have been vaccinated. The government plans to inoculate around three crore health and frontline workers by April, followed by the “priority” population group of those above 50 years and those younger but with severe co-morbidities. With adequate supplies of vaccines, it is possible that multiple priority groups may be covered simultaneously.