Cos won’t supply vaccine directly, queries referred to Maharashtra government: Private hospitals

NAGPUR: Private hospitals that are planning to start paid vaccination in the city say vaccine manufacturers have asked them to procure the stock directly from the state government.
Some private hospitals had sought to directly purchase vaccines from the manufacturers, Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech (BB), before the the central government changed its policy over vaccination of all above 18 earlier this month.
As the government has now decided to provide free vaccination to 18+ age group too at its Covid vaccination centres (CVC), the manufacturers have referred the procurement queries to the state government. The Centre has also tasked states to monitor charges being levied by private hospitals.
In Mumbai, all stocks procured by private hospitals will be routed through the BMC.
Amid this, each district has been asked to submit its total vaccine requirement to the public health department. Local authorities have sought the requirement from private hospitals too.
Administrative and top health officials are tight-lipped as to why requirement of private hospitals is being sought.
On Wednesday and Thursday, some private hospitals in the city said they have received mails from SII and BB informing them that they won't be able to supply stock directly.
As per the revised guidelines, 18+ age group would start getting vaccine free of cost at all government centres. It has left private hospitals clueless about charges they can recover from beneficiaries.
If the government supplies directly, the hospitals will only be able to charge Rs150 service fee as per the new guidelines. The central government has notified Rs780, Rs1,410 and Rs1,145 for each dose of Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V, respectively, at private hospitals.
Vidarbha Hospital Association (VHA) convenor Dr Anup Marar told TOI earlier they had approached SII to procure one lakh doses on behalf of all small hospitals as the company was clearing only major orders. “But it seems the manufacturers will now supply through government only. Almost all hospital and clinics are ready and eager to join hands with government to commence vaccination as we feel vaccinating all is the only key to control this pandemic,” he said.
Dr Marar added that a day back NMC collected details about anticipated number of doses required by all registered CVCs. “However, we are not clear about modalities of distribution. If NMC is providing free vaccines from their own stock received through Union government, we will be only charging Rs150 per dose. But if they pass on the cost to private hospitals, then we will be charging cost of vaccine plus Rs150,” he said.
Muncipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B said they were yet to receive any guidelines regarding the June 21 drive.