Even because the vaccination drive for 18+ inhabitants is all set to start out from May 1, the Punjab well being division, which had contacted the Serum Institute of India (SII) to position an order for 30 lakh Covishield doses, is but to obtain any affirmation from the corporate, promising provide anytime quickly.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Husan Lal, principal secretary, well being, Punjab, stated they contacted SII to position an order for 30 lakh doses of Covishield (on the fee of Rs 400 per dose as introduced by the corporate for state governments), however the firm ‘has not promised any supply as of now’.
“They have simply said that they will revert when they would be in a position to complete our order. There is no confirmation on our order as of now,” stated Lal, including that 1.50 lakh doses of vaccine have been obtained Tuesday from central authorities and a couple of lakh extra have been anticipated in a day or two.
Till now, the vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) are being equipped to the states by the Union ministry of well being and household welfare (MoH&FW). But now when the drive opens for inhabitants above 18, states can instantly procure from the manufacturing firms.
Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, nodal officer, Covid-19, Punjab stated they’re but to contact Bharat Biotech for putting an order for Covaxin.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in an announcement Sunday had stated, “Punjab government will consider approaching Astrazeneca (India) directly to avail lower price of Rs 162 per dose for Covishield.”
As per the information launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) Tuesday, Punjab (with an estimated inhabitants of three.02 crore as on October 2020) has been equipped 33.36 lakh doses of vaccine of which 32.47 lakh doses have been consumed (together with 4.98% wastage) and 88,943 doses have been mendacity stability with the state. Another 3.50 lakh doses have been in pipeline provide for Punjab, as per MoH&FW.
