People above 18 will get free Covid vaccine in state: Chhattisgarh CM Baghel

Chhattisgarh will provide free Covid vaccine to all its adult population, said chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday. The chief minister added that the Centre has been requested for adequate stocks of vaccines.

Published on: Apr 22, 2021, 10:59:48 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Chhattisgarh will provide free Covid vaccine to all its adult population, said chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel. (File photo)

“The state government will pay for corona vaccination for people over 18 years of age. We will take all possible steps to protect the lives of our citizens,” he said, as per a press note issued by the public relations department.

The chief minister added that the Centre has been requested for adequate stocks of vaccines.

Also Read | Amid spike in Covid-19 cases, lockdown in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur extended till April 26

“Chhattisgarh ranks fourth in the entire country in giving the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to the age group above 45 years and fifth in vaccinating 60+ age group. Total 88% healthcare workers, and 92% frontline workers have been given the first dose of vaccine. A total of 5,1 25, 640 corona vaccine doses have been used so far in Chhattisgarh,” the note said.

Meanwhile, the state on Tuesday made Covid testing mandatory for all those arriving in the state via air, road, or rail. The decision followed the state recording over 225,000 Covid-19 cases and 1,993 deaths in the last one month.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.