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BJP MPs, MLAs to take Covid-19 vaccine, pay for it

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 3/2/2021 1:00:07 PM

New Delhi, Mar 1 With the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive kicking off on Monday, BJP has asked its MPs and MLAs aged 60 and above and those in the 45-59 age bracket with co-morbidities to get inoculated within a week. Sources said BJP has asked its eligible legislators to get vaccinated in their own constituencies to instill confidence among the common people. The MPs and MLAs have been asked to pay for the jab so that enough vaccines are available at government hospitals for those who cannot afford. In the second phase, vaccines will be administered free of cost at government hospitals and health centres, while up to Rs 250 per dose will be charged at private health facilities. "Modi ji had clearly said that our Covid-19 warriors would be vaccinated first, and then us. To those who were questioning him, he has replied, 'I was waiting for my turn'. We ministers have decided to avail paid vaccination facility," media quoted Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad as saying. On Monday, several politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. PM Modi received the indigenously developed Covaxin shot by Bharat Biotech at AIIMS and appealed to all those who were eligible to get inoculated.