The Maharashtra government wants the Centre to bear the entire cost of the COVID-19 vaccine to be given to all the people who cannot afford to pay for it. Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Tuesday that he would put forth the state's demand before Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan at a meeting scheduled to be held on January 7. He said the rich and affluent should be asked to pay, but it must be ensured that the poor get free vaccines.

"We are of the opinion that vaccination should be free for all. According to the union health minister's social media post, the Centre will pay for the 30 crore priority beneficiaries, which is a mere 3 per cent of the country's population. There is no clarity over such issues," Tope told a media conference on Tuesday in Mumbai.