Review Meeting for COVID-19 : Centre Should Make it Clear that Vaccine Would be Universal and Free - CM

General Public Not In Condition To Pay for Vaccine Due To Economic Conditions 

Jaipur, December 21.Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot has said that the union government should make it clear that vaccine for COVID-19 would be given to the people for free. 

Providing correct information at the right time in this regard will shed away confusion among the masses about the price and availability of the vaccine. It is needed for boosting the self-confidence of the people. He directed the state government officials to make proper arrangements for administering COVID vaccine to everyone in Rajasthan. 

Shri Gehlot was chairing review meeting on situation of COVID-19 spread in the state at his official residence on Monday. He said that the majority of population would not be in a position to buy vaccine as the pandemic had left their economic condition shattered. In such a situation, the Government of India should make the vaccine available free of cost to all the citizens of the country. He said that while administering the vaccine it was fair to give priority to health personnel and frontline warriors associated with essential services. Eventually, the COVID vaccine should be made available to all (universal) and for free. 

Officers Should Focus On Vaccination, Rajasthan Should Become A Model 

The Chief Minister directed the officers of the health department to make excellent arrangements at the ground level for vaccination in the State. He said that due to initial preparations in preventing COVID-19 pandemic, Rajasthan could became a Model State. “On the similar lines, the way we managed spread of Corona virus done so far, we should now focus on vaccination and make preparations that Rajasthan becomes ‘Model’ in vaccine management too,” he added. 

Do Micro-Planning up to Ground Level 

Shri Gehlot said that for vaccination extraordinary preparations needed to be one along with micro-planning. It is necessary that the number of vaccination centers should be more in order to complete the process of vaccination in a large population in less time. Safe storage of vaccines according to the guidelines of Government of India, and identifying hospitals, health centers along with buildings of schools-colleges wherever required should be done on time. Besides this, prepare the outline of implementation of the campaign at the lower level by discussing with the medical experts experienced in the work of vaccination. 

Celebrate New Year with Family Within Homes 

The Chief Minister called upon the people of the state to celebrate the New Year with their families staying inside the homes like they celebrated Deepawali festival. It is needed to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. It is important to protect oneself, the family and the lives of others. He said that the Supreme Court recently issued guidelines asking the States to take strict measures such as curbing crowd in markets or other public places and as far as possible not give permission for religious or social gatherings. Rajasthan will be the State that will ensure compliance of these instructions. 

Shri Gehlot said that in view of New Year, for the next few weeks, there will be a total ban on gathering of crowding, organizing mass events and fireworks etc. in the entire State. The night curfew will continue and police patrolling and action on roads and other public places will be more stringent. He directed Local Self Government department to extend the period of ‘Peoples’ Movement against COVID-19’ up to January 31 with an objective to make people aware about prevention from infection. Free distribution of mask during this period will continue. In the meeting, it was said that more than 1.36 crore masks have been distributed so far under this campaign. 

Number of infections continuously declining in entire Rajasthan 

Health Department Secretary Shri Siddharth Mahajan said that the situation of infection of COVID-19 is under control in the State and the number of infected persons in the entire Rajasthan is continuously declining including big cities. He said that during last week, the number of serious patients of corona is reducing and the consumption of oxygen cylinders is also declining continuously. The rate of recovery of corona infected in Rajasthan is around 95% and the fatality rate is only 0.88%. 

Shri Mahajan in regard to preparations of vaccination said that as per the directions from the Government of India, the lists priority categories are being prepared and selection of places for vaccination is also being done. 

In the meeting, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajababu Panwar, SMS Medical College Principal Dr. Sudhir Bhandari and senior medical expert Dr. Virendra Singh discussed the details of global scenario in regard to COVID vaccine and the researches going on. They said that once the Government of India provided for the vaccine, the campaign would be carried across the state out as per the guidelines. 

Health Minister Dr. Raghu Sharma, Director General of Police Shri ML Lathar, Principal Secretary Home Shri Abhay Kumar, Secretary Medical Education Shri Vaibhav Galariya, Secretary Local Self Government Shri Bhawani Singh Detha, Commissioner Public Relations Shri Mahendra Soni and other senior officers were present in the meeting.