Previous policy The statement was a reversal of the Union health ministry's guidelines to the states that came into effect before the third phase of the inoculation drive began.
The ministry had adopted a new protocol, wherein states were given the responsibility to procure and administer the vaccine to people in the age group of 18 to 45.
The vaccines were to be procured by state governments at pre-determined prices from the manufacturers. The central government would, however, continue to buy half of all the vaccines made from healthcare and frontline workers, and those above the age of 45.