Thiruvananthapuram :Kerala’s strong interventions significantly pressured the central government to change its vaccine policy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan several times wrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking free vaccines for ages above 18 and also got Chief Ministers from non-BJP states to write making similar demand. Thus, apart from Supreme Court’s firm stand in the matter, interventions from Kerala too played a pivotal role to prise free vaccinations from the centre.
Kerala was the first in the country to announce free vaccinations for its people. Chief Minister had underscored that as a promise during policy announcement and endorsed it in several of the press conferences too. The government also set aside Rs 1000 crore for free vaccinations in the state budget. The "Vaccine Challenge" launched by CM in this regard saw huge public support too. Several protests organized through the state also captured national attention.
And amid these efforts, the government also purchased vaccines at its own cost without relying on the uncertain supply of free vaccines from the centre. On 31 May, CM wrote to 11 non-BJP state Chief Ministers urging them to demand of centre to procure vaccines and distribute them free-o- cost. Following the letter, several state heads wrote to the Centre raising demand for free vaccines.
