COVID vaccine capped Rs 250/dose in Private hospitals, 66 private hospitals selected in Himachal

New Delhi: Ahead of the phase-2 Covid vaccinations beginning from Monday for 60-plus people and those aged 45 to 59 years with specific comorbidities, the Union health ministry has decided to scaled-up private sector participation in COVID Vaccination.

Around 10,000 private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, more than 600 hospitals empanelled under CGHS and other private hospitals empanelled under State Govts. Health Insurance Schemes can participate as COVID Vaccination Centers (CVCs).

Health Departments of State Governments have already initiated dialogue with private hospitals so that they can be encouraged to participate in this drive as CVCs.

The Centre has capped the cost of inoculation in private hospitals at Rs 250 a dose while it will be free for people visiting government facilities.

In Himachal Pradesh, 66 private hospitals have been identified and selected for paid COIVD vaccination. Interestingly, in the Shimla district, no private hospital has been selected for the vaccinations.

The government also listed 20 conditions to prioritise those aged 45 to 59 years for Covid jabs. The people with any of the listed conditions would need to get a proforma signed by doctors as a certificate of eligibility, which would have to be produced at the time of registration for vaccination.