Amid uncertainty over the availability and supply of vaccines domestically, at least nine States have floated global expressions of interest (EOI) to procure 28.7 crore vaccine doses in all from manufacturers across the world to inoculate the age group of 18-44 years in India. These States have put a timeline of three months to six months for suppliers to supply the vaccine.
But it remains to be seen as to when the vaccines are actually delivered given the foreign companies’ prior commitments as many affluent nations have placed their orders much in advance.
As per the data collected by The Pioneer, worst-hit Maharashtra has invited expression of interest for the procurement of 5 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses. Through the EOI, it will know the stock, price and supply schedule from global vaccine producers approved by the World Health Organization and United States Food and Drug Administration.
The Maharashtra Government went for the global EOI after lack of response to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation’s separate tender for the supply of 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses. The BMC was forced to extend the bid submission deadline by a week.
The Uddhav Thackeray Government is exploring options of procurement of vaccine doses from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Zydus, Cadila among others. The EOI rolled out, however, has added a clause that bars countries sharing land borders with India. This means that BMC will not consider any company or vaccine that comes from China.
While Tamil Nadu issued an EoI for procurement of five crore doses, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have done so for 4 crore doses each. Odisha (3.8 crore), Kerala (3 crore), Andhra Pradesh (2.4 crore) and Rajasthan and Telangana (one crore each) are the other States to have floated global tenders.
States such as Uttarakhand, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar have indicated that they would be floating tenders soon. The volumes likely to be sought by them are not clear as yet.
The EOI floated by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation said the Government sought a delivery schedule of 180 days progressively from the date of purchase order for 3.5 crore (35 million) vaccines for Rs 2,00,00,000 (20 million). The last date for submission of tenders is June 5 at 11 am. Rajashtan in its EOI said international manufacturers, whose vaccine has been approved by the Government of India, can participate in the bid process. Many States also seem to be competing amongst themselves to place global bids in order to send a message to their populace that they are making efforts for them.
“The EOI’s outcome remains to be seen as most of the affluent countries have already booked the vaccines much in advance. It depends on how many companies show their interest in the EOIs invited by the States,” an official said.
As per the Health Ministry’s data, over 8.31 crore people have registered in the age group of 18-44 since April 28. Of them, only 10-12 per cent got the first dose of vaccination so far. Many States have stopped the inoculation to 18-44 age group category due to shortage of vaccine.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday claimed the Government has provided more than 21 crore vaccine doses (21,07,31,130) to States and UTs. Of this, the total consumption (including wastage) is 19,09,60,575 doses and nearly two crore Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories while around 26 lakh are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days.