PMC and PCMC to jointly float global tenders to purchase Covid vaccines

The Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation have decided to jointly float global tenders for purchasing vaccines directly from the manufacturer. The decision was taken after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declared that the civic bodies do not need permission from the state government for directly purchasing vaccines.

“PMC and PCMC are exploring the possibility of floating joint tenders for direct purchase of vaccines,” said PCMC Commissioner Rajesh Patil.

Patil said mayors of both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have been holding discussions on the issue. “Since the third wave of Covid is predicted in June-July, we have started preparations to tackle the emerging situation,” he said. “We are trying to find out whether vaccines are available in adequate quantity… at what rates and whether we will get response for the global tender.”

Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Usha Dhore said she has held discussions with Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol. “We have agreed to purchase one type of vaccine so that there is no confusion about which is the best one… In the future, people might say vaccine given by PMC was better or vaccine given by PCMC was better. To avoid such a situation, we have decided to purchase one type of vaccine. Preliminary discussions have been held. We are again going to meet in the next three to four days to finalise floating a global tender,” she said.

Patil said Pimpri-Chinchwad intends to purchase 25 lakh doses. “In Pimpri-Chinchwad, there 12 lakh citizens in the age group of 18 to 44 years. Considering two doses, we will need 25 lakh doses,” he said. Over 4 lakh have been vaccinated in the twin city so far.

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“Though it is being predicted that in the third wave, children will be more affected, there will not be many serious cases. In view of the predictions, we have started preparations. Training is being imparted to the staff. As many as 150 beds will be reserved for children at the civic-run YCM Hospital in general wards and 30 beds in ICU. At Jijamata Hospital, we will make arrangements so that the mother can stay with the child. A Covid care centre will be set up at Gharkul, where children with mild symptoms will be admitted,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PCMC health department said all vaccination centres in Pimpri-Chinchwad will remain shut on Thursday due to unavailability of vaccine. The centres were also shut on Monday and Tuesday.