On Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced that people in the 18-44 age group will be provided Covid vaccines free of cost. The Covid-19 vaccines would be available at all state-run vaccination centres. He also urged the eligible persons to register for the doses which will start from Wednesday. As a part of the Centre’s drive, people above 45 years of age will be vaccinated.

The CM tweeted, “Covid-19 vaccines will be provided free of cost to citizens between 18-44 years of age at all government vaccination centres across Karnataka. Union Government vaccination drive for citizens above 45 will continue. I urge all eligible to register themselves from April 28”.  Karnataka has been badly hit by the second wave of Covid-19. The Government has decided to impose a two-week lockdown which will start from Tuesday. Only the shops selling essential items will remain open from 6 am to 10 am.

Karnataka reported 143 deaths in the last 24 hours. 34,804 new Covid cases are also reported which took the active caseload to over 2.6 lakh. Karnataka has a positivity rate of 20%. From May 1, the Centre will widen the vaccine net.