EXPLAINER: India switches policy but still short of vaccines

Starting Monday, every Indian adult can get a COVID-19 vaccine dose for free that was purchased by the federal government

NEW DELHI -- Starting Monday, every Indian adult can get a COVID-19 vaccine dose for free that was purchased by the federal government. The policy reversal, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, ends a complex system of buying vaccines that worsened inequities in administering the shots. India is a key supplier of vaccines around the world, and its missteps have left millions of people waiting unprotected. Only about 3.5% of Indians are fully vaccinated and while the policy change is likely to address inequality, questions remain. Moreover poor planning means vaccine shortages will continue. Here's a look at the changes to India's vaccine policy and what it means: THE EARLIER POLICY