Free vaccination for 4 Cr population in Telangana; state to shell out Rs 2500 Cr

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has decided to administer COVID-19 vaccine to the entire population in the state irrespective of the age limit. On 24 April, he issued instructions to this effect to the chief secretary of the state and the officials of the medical and health department.

The state's population, including those who have come from different states and are working in different sectors, stands at four crore of which 35 lakh have already been vaccinated. The rest will be vaccinated free of cost, the CM announced on 24 April.

KCR said it would cost more than Rs. 2,500 crores to vaccinate everyone but taking into consideration the importance of people's lives, he said this amount was worth spending. He further said that Bharath Biotech is already producing the vaccine and several institutions, including Dr. Reddy Labs, are coming forward to produce vaccine. Hence, there will be no dearth of vaccine, KCR added.

The Chief Minister said that in a couple of days, after undergoing necessary medical tests and after completely recovering, he would hold a high-level review meeting with concerned officials. Besides, he added that necessary steps will be taken to see that there is no shortage of Remdesivir as well as other medicines and oxygen for COVID patients. He assured that the government would go all out to protect people and said there was no need to panic.

While assuring people that the state will ensure availability of hospital beds and medicines, he urged them to stay away from mass gatherings and participating in processions. Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid coming out and observe self-discipline, he told people.