NMMC to float global EOI to procure vax

NAVI MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will float global expression of interest (EOI) to procure 400,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines. The tender would be floated on Sunday with a deadline of May 22.

After Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), NMMC is the second corporation in the State to float global tender for procuring the vaccination. For the global tendering, as per the rules, the vaccine company should follow Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines and the manufacturer should have approval from the Drugs Controller General of India for the supply of

Covid-19 vaccines in India.

Till now, NMMC has received 2,82,700 Covishield vials, of which the last lot reached on May 9 with 1,700 vials. Meanwhile, a total of 35,740 Covaxin vials reached NMMC till now, of which the last lot was 1,200 vials on Friday.

While no doses of Covishield are left with NMMC now, around 400 of Covaxin is left, which will be used on Sunday. “There has been no communication about the further availability of vaccination. After Sunday, if no doses reach us, all the centres will have to be kept shut. Currently, only three centres of NMMC are open – NMMC hospitals at Vashi, Nerul and Airoli,” a NMMC official said.

From January 16, the Covid-19 vaccination was started and till now 2,51,355 people have been vaccinated so far with the first dose and at present due to low supply of vaccines, the pace of vaccination has been hampered. Only 36 per cent of the first dose beneficiaries have been able to receive the second dose till now.

“We have written to Serum and Haffkine to provide us with the vaccinations. We are open to both Covaxin as well as Covishield and will decide which one to buy after we receive the rate quotation,” chief medical officer, Dhanvanti Ghadge, said.

“Considering the third wave that is likely to hit, vaccination plays an important role. To avoid any more delay in the vaccination, we decided to float the tender,” NMMC chief, Abhijit Bangar, said.