Aim to give Covid-19 vaccine to those in need, not those who want it: Centre

At a time when states are urging the central government to lower the age limit for Covid-19 vaccination so that more people could be inoculated, the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said on Tuesday that the aim for vaccination is to cover people who need the vaccine, not those who want it. "Many people ask why should not we allow vaccination for all. There are two aims of such vaccination drives -- to prevent deaths and protect healthcare system. The aim is not to administer the vaccine to those who want it, but to those who need it," said Rajesh Bhushan while addressing a press conference on the prevailing Covid-19 situation in India.

Faced with an exponential spike in daily new Covid-19 cases, chief ministers of Delhi, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been urging the central government to remove the age limit on Covid-19 vaccination and allow states to vaccinate people of all age groups.