Apollo Hospitals launches vaccination for 18-44 age group

Realizing the criticality of vaccinating the citizens to mitigate the impact of the second wave of COVID infections, Apollo Hospitals has taken the initiative and made arrangements to procure the vaccines directly from the manufacturers, as per the Government directive, it said in a release.

Max Hospitals also said they will start vaccination drive for 18 years and above from tomorrow.

Apollo Hospitals will be among the first within the Indian private hospitals to begin COVID vaccinations in the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive after the Central Government’s opening up vaccinations to all citizens above the age of 18, it said. 

As per the Government guidelines, the vaccines will be administered to eligible individuals who have registered on the CoWIN app and have made an appointment for the vaccine jab at Apollo Hospitals. 

The vaccination program will begin with limited quantities and be ramped up in the weeks ahead. Apollo Hospitals will also be organizing special camps for corporates. The vaccines would be priced as per the guidelines issued by the Central Government.

Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The second wave has come like a tsunami with an exponential rise in the number of cases. The Government’s decision to open up the vaccination program and permit private hospitals to procure vaccines directly from the manufacturers is a much-required step to counter the COVID-19 threat."

"The success of the Government and private sector working together in the area of testing for COVID-19 played a major role in the country’s success in controlling the spread of the vaccine last year. Similarly, this step will empower the private sector to use their extensive experience in supporting vaccination programs through the years, giving a major boost to the pace of vaccination and putting the vaccination program on the fast track as we move forward to vaccinate our large population. 

"The second wave of infections has seen younger patients getting affected and vaccinating everyone above the age of 18 will help in stopping the relentless rise in COVID cases and bring a COVID-free future closer to reality,” she said.