Odisha Chief Minister wrote a letter to all his counterparts seeking a consensus on centralised procurement of COVID vaccines

Bhubaneswar21/6/21; Odisha  Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wrote a letter to all his counterparts seeking a consensus on centralised procurement of COVID vaccines by the Centre in view of the challenges faced by states.

In his letter, he stated that no state is safe unless all states adopt vaccination as a top priority and execute it on war-footing. However, states should not compete against each other to procure the vaccines. United efforts are required for vaccine procurement and states should have the flexibility to implement the vaccination drive based on local circumstances.

Patnaik highlighted that many states have floated global tenders for vaccine procurement but it is quite clear that global vaccine manufacturers are looking forward to the Union Government for clearances and assurances. The manufactures are not willing to get into supply contracts with state Governments.

The CM also stressed that execution of the vaccination programme has to be decentralised and states allowed the flexibility to determine their own mechanisms to ensure universal vaccination. Citing an example, he said many hilly areas cannot access internet and therefore, online registration has to be flexible. Besides, vulnerable tribes can be given priority for the immunization.

“I suggest all state Governments to come to a consensus on the issue for early resolution of this problem, We should act fast before any third wave comes and creates further havoc,” he said.