The Covid-19 vaccination drive will open for all persons above 18 years from May 1. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. As part of the 'liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination', all persons above the age of 18 years will be eligible to get Covid-19 vaccine jabs. In this phase, the state governments will also be allowed to procure vaccines directly from the manufacturers. The vaccine manufacturers will also be allowed to sell the vials in the open market. "Under Phase 3 of Covid vaccination strategy, vaccine manufacturers would supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory released doses to the Government of India and would be free to supply the remaining 50 per cent doses to state governments and in the open market," an official statement from the Centre said.