As Central government denies more Covid-19 vaccines, Telangana to buy 15 lakh doses from Biological E

Upon denial of more stocks from center, the government decided to buy vaccine directly from Hyderabad based vaccine maker Biological E.

BySumit Jha

Published Apr 07, 2023 | 6:21 PMUpdatedApr 07, 2023 | 6:34 PM

As Central government denies more Covid-19 vaccines, Telangana to buy 15 lakh doses from Biological E

The Telangana government on Friday, 7 April, announced that its Health Department would purchase 15 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines from the open market.

As the cases of Covid-19 are increasing in the country, the state asked the Central government for more Covid-19 vaccines.

Upon denial of more stocks, it decided to buy the vaccine directly from Hyderabad-based vaccine maker Biological E.

“It is clear that the Central government is neglecting the most important vaccination programme in the fight against Covid-19. On one hand, the Central government, which is alerting the states that the cases of Covid-19 are increasing, is neglecting the supply of vaccines,” the Telangana Health Department said in a statement.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday virtually interacted with state health ministers about the country’s Covid-19 situation and preparedness in various states and Union Territories.

During the meeting, many state ministers who requested vaccines were told that there was no vaccine supplier and that they should purchase it themselves.

“With this, the Centre has taken their hand out from the supply of vaccine,” said Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao.

Also read: Covid-19 cases in India underreported by 300%, says survey

Telangana’s stance

During the meeting, Harish Rao said that the state had set an example for other states in Covid-19 prevention and vaccination.

He said that the current Covid-19 situation was completely under control in the state and the government is ready in all ways.

“Telangana is number 1 in the country in precautionary doses. However, the supply of vaccines from the Centre to the state has stopped, and the state has run out of stock. The vaccination drive has been halted because of this,” he said.

The minister requested the immediate supply of required vaccine doses to the state and recalled that he had already written to the Centre in this regard.

Mandaviya said that the respective states could purchase the required vaccines and there are plenty of vaccine stock in the open market.

Upon this, the Telangana government decided to supply 15 lakh doses in collaboration with Hyderabad pharma firm Biological E.

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