The Indian government has tweaked its vaccine policy saying that anyone aged 18 and above can now visit the nearest vaccination centre for on-site registration followed by vaccination. Earlier, people wishing to get the vaccines administered were required to register themselves on the official website and select a slot for themselves before visiting vaccination centres. The latest U-turn in vaccine policy comes just days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Narendra Modi government for its earlier vaccine policy.
According to the government-run All India Radio, anyone aged 18 years and above can now ‘directly go to the nearest vaccination centre wherein the vaccinator performs the on-site registration and provides vaccination.’
Quoting the Union Health Ministry, the AIR reported that pre-registration for vaccination through online registration and prior booking of appointment was not mandatory’ to get vaccinated.
Pre-registration for vaccination through online registration and prior booking of appointment is not mandatory to avail #Covid19Vaccine: Union Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/j19LTQjszo
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 15, 2021
On 10 June, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted, “Mere online registration for vaccines is not enough. Everyone who walks in at vaccine centres should be vaccinated. Even those people have the right to life who don’t have access to the internet.
वैक्सीन के लिए सिर्फ़ online रेजिस्ट्रेशन काफ़ी नहीं। वैक्सीन सेंटर पर walk-in करने वाले हर व्यक्ति को टीका मिलना चाहिए।
जीवन का अधिकार उनका भी है जिनके पास इंटर्नेट नहीं है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 10, 2021
The latest decision by the central government comes amidst states now announcing ‘unlock’ measures in a phased manner after a prolonged period of lockdown that saw a largescale death and devastation. Several lakh people died in the second wave of the pandemic for the want of access to better healthcare and liquid oxygen. The BJP-led government was blamed for allowing millions of Hindus to congregate in this year’s Kumbh Mela and going ahead with prolonged election campaigns for the spread of the virus.