The vaccination of frontline workers in medicare is the foremost priority of the government. The agricultural season is about to begin and vaccination of field workers is the next priority. Those with Kisan Cards registered prior to January 2021 can be inoculated free of cost. Unemployed citizens can also be inoculated free of cost provided they are registered with the Exchange prior to January 2021.
Thereafter the government’s duty is towards tax payers. It is off season for the hotel, fishing, mining, tourism and shipping industries.
Hotels which have signed up to offer their premises for self-isolation however can be allowed to have their staff vaccinated. As stated by the government, pharmacy and pharmaceutical employees can be vaccinated on priority basis at private hospitals on CTC basis.
Shipping employees can be vaccinated on priority provided there is a central government notification to the effect. Frontline workers would be identifiable as those on cargo ships and holders of an Indian CDC. As stated earlier the priority of the government is towards taxpayers.
