False: All states in India will provide adults between the ages of 18 and 45 with vaccines free of charge.

By: Ankita Kulkarni
April 23 2021

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There will be no free jabs for under-45s in government-run hospitals. Guidance varies from state to state. The Government of India announced a strategy to vaccinate all over 18 years starting from May 1. Sharma also said people between the ages of 18 and 45 will not be able to avail free vaccinations at Central government-run hospitals. National Health Authority CEO RS Sharma said those above 45 are eligible free vaccinations at government-run hospitals and added that states may choose to give it for free to those above the age of 18, according to First Post. The Hindustan Times notes that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala have announced free of cost vaccines for tocer 18s. Under the first phase, HCWs(Health Care Workers), FLWs(Front Line Workers), and people aged above 60 are first in line for the vaccine, while in the second phase, those over the age of 45 will be priortised. A press release by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare states that the vaccination drive would continue as before by providing free vaccination for essential workers and vulnerable people. Following the Phase 3 vaccination drive announcement, opposition party leaders tweeted that the government will no longer provide vaccines free of cost. However, as stated, many state governments- Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Sikkim- have announced free vaccination for its population between the ages of 18 and 45 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.