Chief minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced the start of the Covid-19 vaccination for the 18-44 year age group population in the state from May 14, reiterating his government’s promise to administer them free of cost.

Hemant also rolled out the Birsa Aushadhi Yojana scheme, where free homeopathic medicines will be distributed among those living in home isolation across all districts.

“We are going to start vaccination of 18 years plus population from May 14 now and will increase the pace of vaccination as and when we keep receiving the doses. Besides government machinery, all public representatives too must motivate people in their constituency to take the jabs,” Hemant appealed to all lawmakers at a meeting on Monday.

As per health department records, around 1.97 crore people fall in this age group category for which the state government placed orders last month for 50 lakh vials of vaccine (25 lakh each of Covishield and Covaxin) after the union government eased Covid-19 vaccination policy.

However, it couldn’t start the drive, which began nationally from May 1, due to paucity of vaccines. An official of the state chapter of the National Health Mission said that they currently have received about 2.44 lakh vials in the last two days from Centre while the direct stocks from the vaccine manufacturers are yet to arrive.

Free homeopathic medicines for Covid patients

Hemant launched Birsa Aushadhi Yojana scheme from his residence on Monday under which the state government with the help of state unit of AYUSH wing, will begin free distribution of homeopathic medicines to patients living in home isolation across the state.

“In continuation with various initiatives as part of Covid management, we are rolling out free homeopathic medicines across the state from today. Experts have worked out various immunity boosting medicines which will be distributed among people in home isolation. Family members of the Covid-19 patients too will be given it free of cost,” said Hemant, adding that adequate medicines will be dispatched from Monday to all districts.