‘States will get free vax, they can also buy’

‘States will get free vax, they can also buy’

New Delhi:26.04.2021

Amid intense criticism over differential pricing of vaccines, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday dismissed allegations that the Centre was getting 50% of the local vaccine production at a cheaper price than states. He said the Centre did not give vaccines directly to anyone and the jabs were distributed through states and UTs. After May 1, these vaccines will be free of cost in government hospitals for people above 45 years.

“The actual situation is that states are getting one guaranteed channel of free vaccine supply, while they can simultaneously procure vaccines from another channel as per its aspirations and commitment to its people,” Vardhan said in a four-page statement posted on Twitter.

He also said the norms for vaccination have been eased to allow a free hand to states as well as private sector to ensure more people can get shots quickly. TNN

A SHOT OF

HOPE

Critical to give a free hand to states: Vardhan

The minister said, “While the dreaded disease is spreading like a tsunami, it was critical to ease the controls and allow a free hand to state governments as well as the private sector.”

Without naming Congress, he said, “I am also compelled to point out that there are certain political leaders who have chosen to indulge in

needless politics on the issue of vaccination and are spreading misinformation at every step, whether it is about efficacy or about pricing.”

Following widespread demand to open up vaccination for all adults, the Centre announced a new Covid-19 vaccination policy permitting all those above 18 years to take the shots from May 1. However, unlike the arrangement so far, the Centre will now procure 50% of local vaccine production and distribute it for free to those above 45 along with health and frontline workers through states. The remaining 50% of vaccines will be open for procurement by states, private hospitals and corporate sector.

Vardhan said while many questions were being raised on this “balance 50% quota”, the decision will grant flexibility to states as many had asked that the vaccination process be opened up for them.

“Now, this ‘balance 50% quota’ shall give them the freedom vaccinate groups that they deem as priority,” Vardhan said, underlining that health was a state subject and the Centre essentially coordinated with states. He noted that many states had said the shots will be for free.

Private and corporate sector options will empower a large number of people to get themselves quickly vaccinated outside the government route. “In essence, those who can afford to get them at private and corporate sector rates shall go ahead,” Vardhan said.

He added as per their earlier demand, states will now have the liberty to procure directly from vaccine manufacturers and even negotiate prices based on volumes. “This will also cut delays,” he said.

Vardhan maintained that there was no shortage of vaccines and diagnostics, and urged political parties to put the success of the vaccination programme above everything else. “There is no need for a crisis of confidence regarding alleged shortage of diagnostics and vaccines, because there are none,” he said.

India has administered over 14 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines so far.

Congress accuses govt of facilitating vaccine profiteering

New Delhi:

Congress on Sunday accused the Modi government of facilitating vaccine profiteering amid the steep and persistent rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

Congress’s communications head Randeep Surjewala said it was unacceptable that the two vaccines available in India were being sold at five different price points and accused the Modi government of abdicating its responsibility to the people by allowing this to happen.

Surjewala also alleged that by introducing the “highly discriminatory vaccine policy” under which the vaccines would be sold at different prices to the Centre, states and private hospitals, the government had allowed the two vaccine manufacturers, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech, to make a profit of ₹1.11lakh crore at the expense of India’s young. “Modi government’s vaccination policy has deregulated 50% production of the two vaccine manufacturers — Serum Institute (Covishield) and Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) — as free from price regulation, to fix the prices for supply to states and private institutions. The two have now released an absolutely discriminatory pricing policy,” he said.

Last week, Serum Institute announced that it will sell its vaccine to the Centre at ₹150 per dose, to states at ₹400 a piece and to private hospitals at ₹600 per vial. TNN