The BJP-led government at the Centre has jettisoned its previous practice of centrally procuring and distributing Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots to states.
During a review of the country’s Covid-19 preparedness on Friday, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya advised states to directly procure Covid vaccines and booster shots from the open market.
The Union Health Minister stated clearly in the video conference, which was also attended by State Health Minister T Harish Rao, that the Centre will not get involved in the procurement of Covid vaccines and that there is enough buffer stock available in the open market to meet the needs of individual States.
Earlier in the video conference, Harish Rao urged the Union Health Minister to ensure that Telangana and other states had access to Covid vaccine doses and booster shots. Harish Rao also reminded Dr Mandaviya that he had written letters to the State requesting an adequate supply of Covid precautionary doses.
“Telangana has been at the forefront of administering Covid vaccines and booster shots to a large section of the population. However, for the past few months, we are not receiving fresh stock of Covid vaccines from the Centre. Given the recent rise of Covid infections and waning immunity, there is a need for individual States to have a buffer stock of booster shots,” Harish Rao said.
Health Ministers from other states made a similar request at the Covid review meeting, urging the Health Ministry to centrally procure and stock Covid vaccines. While praising states’ efforts in dealing with SARS-CoV-2, the union Health Minister made it clear at the conference that states procuring Covid vaccines and booster shots directly from the open market was the best way forward.
The Telangana government on Friday said that it has procured 15 lakh doses of Corbevax vaccine, which is manufactured by city-bases Biological E Limited.
Health Minister, T Harish Rao thanked Managing Director, Biological E Limited, Mahima Datla for ensuring Telangana has access to 5 lakh doses of Corbevax, which can be administered as booster shots.
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