24 April,2021 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra Jore
Uddhav Thackeray, chief minister
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify whether the Indian manufacturers would be able to fulfil the country's demand for vaccinating every adult. Maharashtra alone would need 12 crore doses for those in the 18-44 age group, who are scheduled to get their shots from May 1.
Thackeray posed the queries at a meeting of the PM with chief ministers of worst-affected states and UTs. Pointing that 50 per cent of the stocks would be sold to the states, private and corporate hospitals, he said, "But there is no clarity on what quantum the states would get. Also, the states should be allowed to import vaccines."
"Maharashtra has 5.71 crore people in the age group of 18-44. We will need at least 12 crore doses. The Indian vaccine manufacturers won't be able to give us such a huge quantity of vaccines in a short span of time," he said, while emphasising the need for vaccinating as many people to control further spread.
Maharashtra wasn't getting enough even for the current vaccination drive, Thackeray said. "We had 6.5 lakh doses on the morning of April 22 of which we used 3.5 lakh by the end of the day. We got another 2 lakh doses, taking our stocks to 5 lakh. Since Maharashtra is ahead of everyone in vaccinations, it must get doses as per its need and speed," he added.
He said UK could contain the infection because of its large-scale vaccination programme. "We need your guidance on accelerating our vaccination drive by importing the doses that can't be supplied by the Indian companies," the CM said.
He also suggested that companies be allowed to buy vaccines through corporate social responsibility programme.
Sources said that considering the import costs the cash-strapped Maharashtra government will have to cough up a huge amount. American vaccines - Pfizer and Moderna's - are estimated at R1,500/dose, Russia's Sputnik V at Rs 750/dose and Chinese at Rs 750/dose, whereas Covishield being manufactured by SII is available for Rs 400 per dose to states and R600 to private hospitals. Bharat Bharat Biotech hasn't released Covaxin price yet.
According to health minister Rajesh Tope, Serum Institute of India (SII) has told Thackeray that as per the contract, it has to supply the entire production to the Centre till May 24. "We want to be very aggressive in the next stage of vaccination. But it seems we will have to wait and go slow. The CM is expected to discuss supply with Bharat Biotech," he said.
Tope said the state can administer 8 lakh doses per day, but unavailability of vaccines was a hindrance. "We have infrastructure to reach out to every village. But, it seems we will have to administer whatever quantity of doses we get after May 1," he said.
He added that if the prices are not reduced, the state will have to charge the people who can afford it. "Pricing is an important issue here. But the government will ensure free of cost vaccination for the poor."
For those aged 45 and above, private hospitals charge Rs 250, which includes Rs 150 for the shot and Rs 100 as service charge. At government facilities, it is free and will continue to be so for 45+ category. It has supplied 15 crore free doses so far, and wants the states to buy the vaccines for the 18-44 age group.
5.71 cr
Population of 18-44 age group in Maharashtra
