The Andhra Pradesh State Government is expected to spend an amount of Rs. 1,600 crores for free vaccination to people of A.P
On the 24th of April, the Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas said the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Government is planning to provide free vaccination to the people between the age group of 18 to 45.
Recently, the Central Government announced vaccination for all people above 18 years old. However, unlike the second phase (provided vaccination to everyone above 45) in the third phase, individuals need to pay for their vaccines. Of the two vaccines administered to people, the Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactured Coviesheild would be available at Rs. 400 at government hospitals and Rs. 600 at private hospitals.
However, the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP Government decided to give the doses free of cost.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took the decision on the evening of the 23rd of April. He conducted a review meeting with the officials of the State Health Department and other ministers.
Besides the free doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the State Government also decided to impose a night curfew in the State. The curfew would begin from 10:00 P.M., and would continue till the next morning 5:00 A.M. An official notice regarding the night curfew which is likely to begin from the 24th of April is yet to be made.
In addition, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also directed officials to ramp up the Novel Coronavirus testing in the State. He also asked the concerned officials to ensure supply of oxygen and Remdesivir injection, an antiviral drug for critical COVID-19 patients, to the needy COVID-19 patients in the State.
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also asked the officials to take strict action against people selling Remdesivir injection on the black market and hospitals taking extra charges for COVID-19 patients. In addition, the State Health Department also set up the fully functioning of the 104 call centre and asked officials to respond to each and every call and provide information on the availability of beds
A Joint Collector would be assigned to each of the 104 call centres in each district to monitor calls.
In addition, during the meeting, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy also asked officials to ensure smooth conduct of class X, Intermediate, degree and engineering examinations as per schedule
Speaking on the oxygen supply in the State, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said only 64 vehicles were allotted for the supply of oxygen while at least 100 to 120 vehicles were needed to meet the current demand. In addition, Andhra Pradesh would need 515 MT of oxygen if all the oxygen beds are occupied in the state while an average of 284 MT of the gas is currently being used in government and private hospitals.
The officials also informed Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the requested oxygen of 100 MT supply from the Central Government.
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