Over 20 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered so far. (File photo)

New Delhi:

Some private hospitals are giving package for Covid vaccination in collaboration with luxury hotels in violation of the guidelines and legal action needs to be initiated against them, the Centre said on Saturday.

In a letter to states and union territories, the Health Ministry has directed states to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are followed to carry out National Covid Vaccination drive.

Under the guidelines, vaccination can be carried out at government Covid vaccination centre and private Covid vaccination centre, workplace, near home Covid vaccination centre for elderly and differently-abled persons to be organised at group housing societies.

“Necessary legal and administrative actions should be initiated against such institutions. Therefore, you are also requested to monitor and ensure that National Covid Vaccination drive is carried out as per the prescribed guidelines,” a government statement read.

#Unite2FightCorona

Health Ministry writes to States/UTs on some private hospitals giving package for #COVID19 Vaccination in collaboration with some hotels.
Says it is against the guidelines issued for the National Covid Vaccination Program. pic.twitter.com/qum9SqOJtW

 Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 29, 2021

Covid vaccination packages by luxury hotels – which include a comfortable stay, healthy breakfast, dinner and wifi, along with “vaccination by experts from a renowned hospital and clinical consultation on request” – have drawn criticism on social media.

Over 21 crore doses have been administered so far since the nationwide inoculation drive began early this year.

The government aims to vaccinate the entire country by the end of this year.

“The Health Ministry has given a blueprint. 108 crore people – with 216 crore doses – will be vaccinated by December,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Friday.