West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ‘speedily import vaccines’ from global manufacturers to combat COVID-19.
In a letter to the PM, the Chief Minister said that the production of vaccines in India is “extremely inadequate and insignificant” in the context of the massive needs of the people at large.
About 10 crore people in West Bengal and 140 crore people in the country need vaccination but only a microscopic percentage has been covered, she said.
India must encourage world players to open up franchise operations in the country
“Reports indicate that globally there are many manufacturers now. With the aid of scientists and experts, it is possible to identify the reputed and authentic manufacturers who have international reputation and credibility,” the CM said adding that “liberal pro-active and discerning import of vaccination is the paramount need today.”
She also said that India must encourage the world players to open up franchise operations in the country and even the national players could be inspired to go for the franchise mode for bulk production of vaccines.
“We could in West Bengal are ready to provide land and support for any manufacturing/franchise operation for authentic vaccine manufacturing,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech has said it will continue the steady supply of Covaxin adding that the jab has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1.
Direct supply of Covaxin to 18 states since May 1: Bharat Biotech
The states include Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, the Hyderabad-based firm added.
“COVAXIN has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1st. Unflinching in our efforts, we will continue the steady supply of our #vaccine,” Bharat Biotech said in a tweet.
The Centre has fast-tracked Emergency Approvals for foreign-produced COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted EUA for restricted use by USFDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO (Emergency Use Listing).
Last month, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the use of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute, for usage.
