Centre defends its liberalised vaccine policy after media reports suggest inequities in distribution

"It is reiterated that the Liberalised Vaccine policy, which envisages a larger role for the private sector and the centre, is setting aside 25% of vaccines for the private sector. This mechanism facilitates better access and reduces the operational stress on Government Vaccination facilities in terms of those who could afford to pay and would prefer to go to a private hospital," it said in a statement.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also tweeted that the claims of inequities in distribution made in some media reports were "baseless".

While dismissing the criticism that some big players are cornering the bulk of the supply meant for the private sector, the government said even the hospitals in smaller cities are getting the two doses of the vaccines.

"As on 1st June 2021, private hospitals have received over 1.20 crore doses of COVID vaccines in the month of May 2021. As on 4th May, 2021, a large number of private hospitals that have contracted with M/S Serum Institute of India and M/S Bharat Biotech have been supplied with Covishield and Covaxin doses. These private hospitals are not limited to the bigger metros but also from Tier II & III cities across States," it said.

According to media reports, the pace of vaccination drive, which started in January, slowed down considerably after people in the 18-44 age group were made eligible for Covid-19 inoculation on May 1 due to severe shortage of the doses.

Last week, Supreme Court described Centre's vaccine policy of free jabs for people aged 45 and above and paid for 18-44 as "arbitrary and irrational" while asking for its review.

It also flagged issues like shortages and problems faced by rural people in accessing vaccines and asked the Centre to "place on record a roadmap of projected availability of vaccines till 31 December 2021".