Odisha CM writes to all CMs, seeks consensus on centralised vaccine procurement
Calling the Coronavirus pandemic the greatest challenge they have faced together as a nation since Independence, the Odisha chief minister called for setting aside differences.
FollowOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote to his colleagues in other states to arrive at a consensus on centralised procurement of vaccines by the Government of India given the challenges faced by states.
Sharing his letter to the chief ministers on Twitter, Patnaik said that ever since phase 3 of the nationwide vaccination drive kicked in and the Centre opened procurement of vaccines to state governments, there has been a great demand for vaccinations from people.
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"Many states floated global tenders for vaccine procurement. However, global vaccine manufacturers are unwilling to get into supply contracts with state governments. The domestic vaccine manufacturers are having supply constraints and are unable to commit required supplies," Patnaik said.
"Under these circumstances, the best option available is for the government of India to centrally procure vaccines and distribute them among the states. At the same time, execution of the vaccination programme has to be decentralised and states should be allowed the flexibility to determine their own mechanisms to ensure universal vaccination," he added.
Seeking consensus among all chief ministers, Patnaik said, "We cannot be competing with each other in getting vaccines. Hence, united efforts required for vaccine procurement. States should have the flexibility to implement the vaccination programme based on local circumstances."
Calling the Coronavirus pandemic the greatest challenge they have faced together as a nation since Independence, the Odisha chief minister called for setting aside differences.
The Centre on Wednesday informed that it had so far provided -- both through free of cost and direct state procurement categories -- more than 23 crore vaccine doses to states and Union Territories. Of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is 21,71,44,022 doses.
The Centre also informed that a total of 1,64,42,938 Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and Union Territories for administering.
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