Niti Aayog member and the national Covid-19 task force head, Dr Vinod Paul said on Friday that the government will cover the vaccination cost of 30 crore people from the priority group, not the whole population.

In the next six to eight months, people from the priority group such as frontline workers and people with comorbidities will be targeted in phase 1 of the vaccination drive. Dr Paul said the Covid task force wants to minimise deaths related to coronavirus, hence, "we chose higher risk groups".

"India will pitch for vaccines for 300 million individuals. Preparedness for inoculating other groups prioritised by the government is also in its advanced stages," he said in an interview with CNBC-TV18.

The Covid task force head also added 31 coronavirus vaccine hubs have been set up to supply vaccines to 29,000 vaccination points. He said the priority group will have 300 million individuals and the government will bear the cost of 30 crore from it.

Dr Paul said the ultimate goal is to stop the spread of the coronavirus infection.

Story Courtesy ; www.indiatoday.com