Despite allowing vaccination for all above 18 years, the Covid vaccine will not be available for sale at chemists or pharmacies. As per the government sources, only Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and hospitals are allowed to give the vaccines in the third phase of vaccination starting from May 1.

"All vaccination would be part of the National Vaccination Programme, and mandated to follow all protocols such as being captured on CoWIN platform, linked to adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) reporting and all other prescribed norms. "Stocks and price per vaccination applicable in all vaccination centres will also have to be reported real-time," the government said.