The State Cabinet on Friday approved a proposal of the Health & Family Welfare Department and announced a new vaccination policy initiative, under which the population of the age group of 18-44 years would be provided with the free vaccines at the cost of the State exchequer.
The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, decided to procure the vaccines from the open market through a global tender by the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd (OSMCL). The tender has already been floated on May 14. A pre-bidding meeting was held on May 19. To ensure the bidding process, more flexible amendments have been incorporated as suggested by the designated committee of OSMCL.
Keeping the overall view of vaccinating the targeted population within a period of four months and limited supply of vaccines in the world market, the bid document has been prepared in a manner that would send a positive signal to the sellers, said the new vaccine policy.
Besides, to attract the bidders, they have been provided with relaxation in EMD, bid security and liquidated damage To facilitate participation of manufacturers of vaccines for storage in super cool temperature, the storage condition has been revised up to -20° C subject to condition that the vaccines would remain stable and maintain its potency at 2° C to 8° C for at least 12 hours.