The Government has provided financial support to public research institutes and industry for COVID-19 Vaccine Development by the way of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, through its Public Sector Undertaking, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). This was stated by Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The Minister stated that financial support was provided to nearly nine (09) private industries for the development of vaccines for COVID-19, whereby an amount of ₹ 489 crore has been allocated and an amount of ₹ 148 crore has been disbursed.

The Government decided that all citizens are entitled to free vaccination, the Minister stated.

The Minister stated that the Union Budget 2021-22 provided an Outlay of ₹ 35,000 crore been towards COVID-19 vaccination. Apart from this, if required, the Government has also committed to provide additional funds for this as announced in para number 38 of the Budget Speech of Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for the financial year 2021-22.

Financial support for vaccine development affirmed, with allocations, disbursements and a policy of free vaccination for all citizens. The Government provided financial support to public research institutes and private industry for COVID-19 vaccine development through the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC, reporting allocations to nine private firms and corresponding disbursements; it also declares an entitlement to free vaccination for all citizens and records a dedicated Union Budget outlay with a commitment to provide additional funds if required.