Didi: Import more foreign vaccine
MS BANERJEE underlines that vaccination, according to experts, is the “real antidote” as the country battles an aggressive second wave of infections.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to “speedily import vaccines” to match the massive demand in the country. She also urged the Prime Minister to allow reputed global Covid-19 vaccine producers to open their franchise operations in the country to tackle the scarcity of antidotes”.
The Trinamul Congress supremo also informed Mr Modi that her government would provide the international giants land and support for their franchise operations, even by the national players in the case, for bulk production of the vaccines.
Ms Banerjee told the PM, “It seems, however, that the production (and hence, the supply and distribution) of vaccines in the country is extremely inadequate and insignificant in the context of the massive needs of the people at large. About 10 crore people in West Bengal and 140 crore people in the country need vaccination, here and now, but only a microscopic percentage has been covered.”
Ms Banerjee underlined that vaccination, according to experts, is the “real antidote” as the country battles an aggressive second wave of infections.
“With the aid of scientists and experts it is possible to identify the reputed and authentic manufacturers... and it is possible for us in this country to speedily import vaccines from those ends across the different parts of the world. I urge you to embark upon this endeavour without any further delay,” Ms Banerjee wrote.
Liberal, proactive and discerning import of vaccines is the paramount need today, she stressed.
Ms Banerjee added, “Also, it may kindly be considered if we could encourage the world players to open up franchise operations in our country. Even the national players could be inspired to go for the franchise mode for bulk production of vaccines. We, in West Bengal, are ready to provide land and support for any manufacturing/ franchisee operation for authentic vaccine manufacturing. I would request you to kindly consider the proposition.”