The government had set aside Rs 35,000 crore in its latest budget for Covid vaccination.
New Delhi:
The government has set aside Rs 5,000 crore in the next fiscal year just for Covid vaccination of 15-17 year olds and precautionary dose for seniors, Finance Minister TV Somanathan said, stressing that more money will be allocated if needed.
The government had set aside Rs 35,000 crore in its latest budget for Covid vaccination for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The amount has been increased to Rs 39,000 crore in the revised estimates.
Asked about the reason for the lower spending for fiscal year 2022-23, Somanathan explained that while spending in the previous budget focused on vaccinating the entire adult population, the allocation of the next budget needs to be seen in context. of ‘precautionary doses’ and injections to children aged 15-17 years.
“Last year, the provision for two doses of vaccination was for 100 percent of the adult population. The allocations are made based on evolving health policies. Currently, health policies are boosting certain segments – frontline, over 60s and vaccination for 15 – 17. That amount has been taken care of. Rs 5,000 crore has been set aside,” he said.
The nationwide vaccination campaign against COVID-19 started on January 16, 2021. The new phase of universalization of the vaccination against COVID-19 started on June 21, 2021. As part of the nationwide vaccination campaign, the Government of India is supporting the states and UTs by providing them with free COVID-19 to provide vaccines.
More than 75 percent of the country’s adult population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 164.36 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and Union Territories as part of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The vaccination for children aged 15-17 has started from January 3, while the ‘precautionary dose’ for 60 years and older has started from January 10.
Somanathan went on to say, “As the policy develops, the budgets will follow. But the budget will not precede the policy.”
The secretary said health care expenditures for the next fiscal year have risen to Rs 83,000 crore. In the current fiscal year, Rs 82,921 crore is pegged in the revised estimates (RE), up from Rs 71,269 crore in the budget estimates.
Also, health research expenditures have increased to Rs 3,201 crore in the next fiscal year, from Rs 3,080 crore in the RE of the current fiscal year.
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