Private hospitals can't offer vaccination package in collaboration with hotels: Centre writes to states

In a letter to the states and union territories, the Health Ministry has directed officials to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are followed to carry out the National Covid Vaccination drive.

"Health Ministry writes to States/UTs on some private hospitals giving package for COVID19 Vaccination in collaboration with some hotels. Says it is against the guidelines issued for the National Covid Vaccination Program," an official statement said.

Vaccination can be carried out at "government and private Covid vaccination centres, workplaces, near to home Covid vaccination centre for elderly and differently-abled persons to be organised at group housing societies", the letter stated.

"Necessary legal and administrative actions should be initiated against such institutions. Therefore, you are also requested to monitor and ensure that National Covid Vaccination drive is carried out as per the prescribed guidelines," the statement read.

According to reports, vaccination in luxury hotels comprise of a package including a comfortable stay, healthy breakfast, dinner and wifi services.

The vaccination in such luxury hotels are done by experts from a renowned hospital and clinical consultation on request, said reports.

This move has drawn severe criticisms on social media with Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia saying that while acute vaccine shortage has forced the state government to suspend the inoculation programme for the 18-44 years age group, "how private hospitals were getting the doses if centre does not have enough stocks for states".

The Centre earlier said that it aims to vaccinate the entire population by the end of the year.

So far, over 21 crore doses have been administered across country since the vaccination drive was launched in January this year.