The first case of coronavirus was reported in December 2019 in the Wuhan city of China as a pneumonia outbreak. Later, its root was traced to a novel strain of coronavirus. The outbreak of coronavirus infection soon spread to other provinces of the country, forcing the govt to lockdown dozen of cities with millions of people. Within weeks, the coronavirus spread outside of the country to other nations like South Korea, Iran, Italy, United States, India, Pakistan among others. Countries around the world have taken strict decisions to close the entry of foreigners, schools, colleges, gyms, clubs, cinema halls, malls and other public places to stop the spread of Covid-19. The Covid-19 positive cases in India had started to drop significantly from September 2020, however, it started rising again under a second wave from March 2021.The second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in India is proving to be more devastating than the first. The biggest worry is that 80-85% of the population in India are asymptomatic and continue to be the largest carrier of the coronavirus. As of April 2021, India has the second-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases in the world (after the United States) with more than 17 million reported cases of COVID-19 infection and 192,311 deaths as of April 25, 2021.India began its Covid-19 vaccination programme on 16 January 2021 with over 160,000 doses administered on the first day. In the phase 1 of the Covid-19 immunisation programme, all health and frontline workers were eligible to take the shot. The phase 2 vaccinations started on March 1, 2021, where all Indians above the age of 60 and Indians between the age of 45 and 59 with comorbidities were vaccinationated. In the phase 3 of Covid-19 vaccination in India, everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get Covid-19 vaccine from May 01, 2021.Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are the three Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved by the central govt of India. Many state govts have annouced free vaccination for everyone above 18 years of age. Covishield by Serum Institute will cost Rs 400 for govt hospitals and Rs 600 for private hospitals. Covaxin by Bharat Bio will cost Rs 600 for govt hospitals and Rs 1,200 for private hospitals. However, note that these prices are only indicative of how much govts and hospitals will pay to procure doses from the manufacturers, people getting vaccinated will end up paying more to cover any charges the hospital or the govt might choose to levy.
