Chennai: The Centre has placed new orders to procure 25 crore doses of the Covishield vaccine and 19 crore doses of Covaxin.
The Union Health Ministry said 44 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines would be delivered by the two vaccine makers between August and December.
Additionally, the Centre will procure 30 crore doses of Biological E’s under-trial vaccine, which is likely to be available by September 2021, Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul said at a press conference in New Delhi.
The fresh order for vaccines comes after the Centre took over procurement of jabs for those in the 18-45 age group from the State governments. However, private hospitals will continue to buy 25 per cent of the total vaccine stock.
The new vaccine procurement policy means that while all adults will be eligible for free vaccines bought by the Centre, some beneficiaries will have to pay for their shots if they choose to get inoculated at private medical facilities.