Fact Check: Saket Gokhale's Vaccine Claims Challenged

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government provided vaccines at no cost to citizens.

A politician named Saket Gokhale claimed these vaccines weren't truly free, as the government took out loans to buy them.

He argued that since the loans would be repaid by taxpayers, the vaccines weren't a gift.

However, the vaccines were free at the point of use for the public.

The government commonly borrows money for healthcare and other public services.

Many countries, like the US, also took on significant debt during the pandemic for similar reasons.

While the government incurred expenses, the public didn't pay directly for vaccinations.