Maharashtra to float global tender for COVID-19 vaccines

Ajit Pawar

In need of 12 crore vaccine doses for inoculating its adults between 18 and 44 years of age, the state government has decided to float a global tender for purchasing Maharashtra's requirement. These doses will be in addition to the Centre's contribution to the state for the 45+ category approved earlier.

The country plans to vaccinate the 18-44 age group from May 1, and the Centre has asked states to buy vaccines for this particular group. Maharashtra alone has 5.71 crore citizens that fit the new category approved.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said in Pune on Saturday that the state would try and source as much vaccine stock from within the country, and also go in for import. "We have a five-member committee of bureaucrats headed by the chief secretary for pandemic-related purchases. The committee has been asked to float a global tender in which Indian as well as vaccines made in other countries can bid," he said. Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), suppliers of the Indian Covishield vaccine, has conveyed to the government that it will not be able to cater to the total requirement of the state. "Serum Institute's Adar Poonawala has suggested that we procure vaccines from all possible sources," added Pawar. In addition to vaccines, the the state will purchase remdesivir injection stocks through a global tender as well.

SII CEO Poonawalla said in a media statement on Saturday that in the interest of public health, the Indian market needs to open up for other international vaccines as well.

Pawar said the vaccine prices would be known once the companies respond to the tender. He said the state would appeal to the people to pay for jabs if they can afford it. "People responded positively when they were asked to surrender subsidies on cooking gas. We will also appeal in the same way so that the poor can be jabbed free of cost."