All private hospitals can operate as COVID-19 vaccination centres: Centre tells States

The Centre has directed the states to utilise private hospitals that are not empanelled under any central or state government health scheme to operate as COVID Vaccination Centre (CVCs) subject to them mandatorily adhering to some specific norms.

“Private hospitals not empanelled under the above mentioned three categories have also been permitted to operate as COVID Vaccination Centers (CVCs)…States/UTs can proactively make efforts to use these private hospitals as CVCs,” the Union Health Ministry said.

With the decision, all private hospitals have been permitted to operate as CVCs if they have adequate number of vaccinators and facilities.

Nearly 50 lakh people across the country have registered themselves on the Co-WIN portal without any glitch since Monday morning when the phase two vaccination drive against Covid-19 virus opened, the health department said on Tuesday.

Moreover, over 2.08 lakh beneficiaries have received their first doses of the vaccine in the second phase of inoculation drive so far.

The vaccination drive for the elderly and people with specific comorbidities in the age bracket of 45-60 years began on Monday and the registration via Co-WIN portal started the same morning.