The domestic supply of Corona vaccines has been dwarfed in the face of increased demand due to the deadly second wave of Coronavirus. Due to this, on Tuesday, the names of Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana were also added to those states which are looking for solutions to this crisis in the global markets. These four states have also decided to issue a global tender for vaccine procurement.
The central government had talked about providing more than 18 crore vaccines to the states and union territories for free. But most states are complaining of a severe shortage of vaccines and now the priority is being given to those who are to be given a second dose within a set period of time.
UP has ordered 4 crore vaccines
Earlier Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha have prepared to buy vaccines through a global tender. The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a global tender in early May for the purchase of 4 crore vaccines. State officials said on Tuesday that UP is largely in an effort to buy Russia's Sputnik-5 or direct vaccines developed on behalf of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
He said…
To meet the increased demand and to vaccinate the age group of 18-44 years, 20 million vaccines will be purchased through a global tender. Till now we depended only on the central government vaccine supply. Now instructions have been given to issue tenders in the open market for vaccine purchase and complete all procedures within seven days.
- CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister, Karnataka
State governments were being pressurized by the BJP-ruled central government to invite global tenders for the purchase of vaccines. We will also buy vaccines through a global tender.
- Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi
The Telangana government's cabinet has decided to issue a global tender for the purchase of the Kovid-19 vaccine.
- State Government official statement
We are exploring the option of purchasing vaccines from a foreign producer, as there is a crisis of low supply of covishield and covaxine. We will issue the global tender in the next 1-2 days.
- Anil Kumar, Principal Secretary Health, Andhra Pradesh
Letter to PM written by Kejriwal and YS
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Andhra Pradesh CM YS Mohan Reddy have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both have requested the PM to increase the domestic production of vaccines.
Reddy said in the letter, it may take several months to get all vaccinated fast. In such a situation, vaccine production can be made faster and cheaper by providing vaccine manufacturing techniques to all such manufacturing companies. Keeping in mind the prevailing public interest, all those who are interested in vaccine production should be motivated.
Kejriwal also said in the letter that the Center should increase production in the country by sharing the vaccine formula of Kovishield and Kovacine producers with other qualified pharmaceutical manufacturers.