STATE WILLING TO BUY 5 CR FOREIGN VACCINES
Govt is exploring options of procuring doses from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Zydus, Camila among others
Amid uncertainty over the availability of supply of vaccines, the Maharashtra Government has floated an expression of interest (EoI) for the procurement of 5 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses. The Public Health Department officer clarified it is not a tender but an EoI to know the stock, price, supply schedule from global vaccine producers approved by the World Health Organisation and United States Food and Drug Administration.
The government's move came a day after the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was forced to extend the time limit by a week for lack of response for its tender for the supply of 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses. In the wake of lack of clarity, the state government expects the suppliers to get the necessary approvals to supply vaccine doses to Maharashtra.
Further, the EoI is silent on the indemnity clause demanded by Pfizer and Moderna to avoid any claims. Besides, there has been no mention of the source of the stock and its supply, the transportation cost, duties, and other
levies.
The officer told the Free Press Journal," The government is exploring options of procurement of vaccine doses from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Zydus, Camila among others." After the government receives EoI, it will seek financial bids from the vaccine suppliers after taking into account price, time schedule, and stocks. As reported by Free Press Journal, the storage of these vaccine doses will be an issue
Maharashtra government has yet to formally receive supply schedules from Serum India Institute and Bharat Biotech
as Pfizer and Moderna need minus 70 degree Celsius which won't be possible in remote areas. The state government can at best have a cold chain of minus 17 to 20 degree Celsius. The logistics are another issue for the timely supply.
Moreover, the price is a key issue that needs to be looked into as Covishield will be available at Rs 300 per dose and Covaxin at Rs 400 per dose to the state government to vaccinate people below 45 years. The state government is getting free doses for the vaccination of citizens above 45 plus.
"The government will have to seriously consider the price if quoted above the prices of Covishield and Covaxin. This apart, the government will carefully study the supply schedule to avoid any disruption. The suppliers will have to fulfil the commitment in the given time as they should not divert the supply to private procurers if they offer higher prices," the officer said.
The government's move to issue EoI came when it was forced to suspend the vaccination for the age group of 1844 years for the want of sufficient vaccine doses. The government has yet to formally receive supply schedules from Serum India Institute and Bharat Biotech.