Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday that the third phase
of COVID-19 vaccination process was expected to begin in March for people over
the age of 50 years, news agency ANI reported.

While answering questions in the Lok Sabha, the health minister
also stated that a sum of Rs 35,000 crores has been allotted in the Union
Budget 2021-22 for COVID-19 vaccines, mentioning additionally that the
allocation can increase if required.

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The minister further said that the first phase of the drive on January
16 was launched to inoculate one crore healthcare workers and that the same is going
on without any significant hiccups.

“The second phase started in different parts of the country from
February 2 in which vaccine is being administered to frontline workers whose
numbers are estimated to be around two crores. After the completion of phase 1
and phase 2, it is possible that in the next month, the third phase will start
in which citizens over 50 (years) will be vaccinated across the country,” the Indian Health Minister said.

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He further said that it was currently
difficult to assign any specific dates for the third phase, yet marking the
second, third and fourth weeks of March as designated to carry out the task.

He further noted that the government-appointed National Experts Group
will be taking decisions related to subsidisation of the vaccine for the Indian
market.