Allow sale of vaccine in open market, Odisha CM writes to Modi

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic situation in his state and suggested four measures to improve the process of vaccination across the country. Patnaik sought sale of vaccines in the market and asserted that states and the Central government must work together to tackle the pandemic.

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting certain measures in the light of COVID-19 pandemic. Patnaik also requested Modi to allow the sale of COVID-19 vaccines outside the Government supply chain in the open market so that people, who can afford, will be able to avail them.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over pandemic handling

The letter read, "'Vaccines may be made available outside the Govt supply chain in the open market so that willing citizens who can afford the vaccine can avail them. This will help Governments to have a focused approach towards vulnerable sections of the society." We are getting huge response from people to get vaccinated. However, intermittent supply is creating a challenge in meeting the demand....."

He also urged the PM that vaccines that have been already approved globally by credible agencies and Governments be accorded approval to increase supply.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over pandemic handling

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"COVID Vaccines that have already been approved globally by credible agencies and Governments may be accorded approval to increase supply. India has a huge vaccine manufacturing potential and the Centre and states should support units to ramp up vaccine production. As this is an extraordinary situation our Governments should run the extra mile in this regard," the letter read.

The BJD leader also suggested that metropolitan cities reporting a high number of COVID-19 number cases must be allowed vaccination priority and flexibility in age criteria.

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"The few metropolitan cities which contribute the highest COVID coxes should be allowed priority vaccination and flexibility in age criteria as these are economic nerve venues of the country, and any lockdown in these areas will have an impact on the rest of the country in terms of labour movement. At an appropriate time, adequate quantity of vaccines must be made available for the states to procure and scale up their vaccination process. I sure with our continued co-operation India will be able to fight this situation wd save people's lives," it read.

Odisha's COVID-19 caseload jumped to 3,58,342 on Thursday after 2,989 people tested positive, the biggest single-day spike this year, while two more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,935.

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With agency inputs