TN CM asks PM for two million vaccine doses

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has demanded two million doses of anti-covid vaccines from the Central government to ensure assured stock for the next ten days. In a leter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy also sought fast-tracking of the commissioning of Integrated Vaccination complex at Chengalpatu near the state capital.

He said 4.7 million doses of the vaccine has been utilised in the state. The per day target set by the state is 200,000 doses. “We need at least 2 million doses in store for the next 10 days,” he wrote.

“It is essential to ensure that the vaccination drive in individual sites are not affected and those who seek a second dose are assured of vaccination on the date and in the site they report.” He pointed out that restricting Remdesivir sales only within the State where it is produced would make such valuable life-saving drugs unavailable in places of need.

The CM also appealed to Modi to fast-track pending work at the Integrated Vaccine complex at Chengalpatu, about 65 km from here, for early commissioning of this facility to augment vaccine production.

This is a Centrally-executed project of national importance, and is structurally and functionally ready and awaiting commissioning and validation.

Palaniswamy said his government will give first priority to construction workers, migrant workers, all market workers and retail traders for vaccination.

Also those who come under priority will be staff with state transport undertakings, all government employees, all school and college teachers, all auto and taxi drivers etc.

Apart from this, the state government will also encourage important industries, hotels, restaurants to partner with private hospitals and ensure 100% vaccination to its staff.

“The State is witnessing rise in new cases and the daily cases have crossed 10,000 and in Chennai 3,300 in Chennai alone,” Palaniswamy said.

He said the State has also introduced containment and other disease prevention measures like micro-containment with strict perimeter control and has also introduced measures to reduce the crowds in functions by restricting the numbers, apart from the announcement of night curfew and Sunday lockdown from April 20.

Meanwhile the state on Friday filed its objection to the reopening of the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi for oxygen production. The government has said it fears law and order issues in the State if the plant is reopened. Reacting to the objection, Supreme Court Chief Justice SA Bobde, however, said that the government cannot make such a comment when people are dying due to lack of oxygen.