Ahead of the vital phase- 3 vaccination drive for these in the 18–44 year age bracket that kicks off on May 1, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to float a international tender to procure 4 crore vaccines in order to vaccinate the folks of the state.
The selection was taken by the government’s core committee meeting to assistance the administration meet the demand for vaccines in the 18-44 age group that will be eligible for vaccination from May 1.
MSME minister and government spokesperson Sidharth Nath Singh told FE that the government will float a international tender for procuring 4 crore vaccines in a day or two.
“We would be calling for a global tender either by today or tomorrow for 4 crore vials initially, which can be extended to another 4 crores, subject to the requirement. We will give it ten days so that we are able to start it at the earliest,” he stated.
As Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the nation, with a population of more than 23 crore, the government has a herculean process to vaccinate all these who are going to be eligible from May 1. Though it has currently placed an order for 1 crore vaccines — 50 lakhs every from the makers of Covishield and Covaxin — but that is clearly not going to be adequate to meet the demand. As a outcome, it has decided to discover international possibilities so that the demand could be met.
The scramble for vaccines began just after the Centre told the states that the present stock of vaccines supplied by it had been to be made use of only to inoculate these who are above the age of 45, as portion of its phase-2 roll-out and that they can not use the current provide of doses for the third phase. With just two days left for the phase- 3 inoculation drive to commence, the state has began preparing to start off the vaccination drive.
“We have the vaccination centres ready, the apparatus and infrastructure, including the cold chains are also ready. But it all boils down to the supply timeline. We are waiting for the supply timeline to be given by both the vaccine manufactures. The minute we get it, we will start rolling out the process,” the minister stated, adding that in the meantime, the registration of these who will be vaccinated has began on the portal.
“We are waiting for both Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India to submit their schedule by tomorrow, after which we will start rolling out the drive,” stated Navneet Sehgal, more chief secretary, facts.