Pointing out that the current allocation of vaccine doses by the Central government to Tamil Nadu is insufficient, DMK MP T.R.Balu urged Union Health Minster to increase the allocation to at least 2.5 crore p/month.
The current allocation from the central government is close to 14 lakh doses of covid vaccines per month. There are more than 3.5 crore people in Tamil Nadu under the 18-44 age category, and the State Government has started vaccinating people in this category recently. The drive was launched by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in Tiruppur last week.
The State Government and the Health Department have been repeatedly asking the central govt to increase the allocation in terms of the vaccine.
T.R.Balu pointed out that several other states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan are getting higher allocation of doses in comparison to Kerala and Tamil Nadu during his call. He underlined that there is an urgent need to vaccinate people in 18 + category.
Health dept. officials have often said that the supply of vaccine is causing a huge problem for the TN Govt. to carry out the drive, in a full-fledged and smooth manner, and that is the reason why the state is asking the central govt. to give more vaccine.
This is not the first time the State Government has requested the Centre regarding this same issue. Last week, T.R.Balu appealed to the Central Government, under orders from Chief Minister Stalin, to increase the vaccine doses to the State.
The Tamil Nadu Government, on its part, floated global tenders for 3.5 crore doses on May 15, 2021. The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) reportedly said that covid vaccine dosage form could be oral, injectable, liquid or freeze-dried.
It should come with a shelf life of at least six months and can be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The winning bidders have been advised to complete the delivery of the stock within 180 days of the purchase order. The deadline for the bid is June 3.