Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that his state government will provide free coronavirus vaccine to city residents if the Centre "failed" to do so.

The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) leader made the announcement amid preparations for the world's largest vaccination drive, to be launched across the country on January 16 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kejriwal said that he had earlier appealed to the Centre to provide vaccine free of cost to the people across the country, considering the impact of coronavirus pandemic.

"There are a lot of people who won't be able to afford the vaccine. I had appealed to the Centre to provide free vaccine to all the people of this country. If required, and if the Centre doesn't do it, my government will provide free vaccine to all Delhi residents," Kejriwal said.

He said the vaccine would first be administered to 'Corona Warriors' like health and frontline workers in the national capital. Kejriwal hoped that the people's struggle in 2020 will come to an end and they would get some respite from the outbreak. The pandemic has infected over 10 lakh people. The CM of Delhi appealed to the countrymen to not spread any misinformation on the two approved COVID vaccines, believing that the central government along with scientists concerned have followed all protocols and safeguards before launching them.

The Oxford University and AstraZeneca have developed 'Covishield', and is manufactured by Serum Institute of India, in Pune while Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad has developed 'Covaxin'.

(With inputs from IANS)