Centre Should Float Global Tender For Vaccines: Maharashtra Minister

Minister Rajesh Tope made the suggestion during a video conference between Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and his counterparts from six states which have been severely affected by the pandemic.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday demanded that the Union government float a single global tender of coronavirus vaccines on behalf of all the states to avoid "unhealthy competition". He made the suggestion during a video conference between Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and his counterparts from six states which have been severely affected by the pandemic, Mr Tope told reporters. "If every state starts floating global tender, vaccine manufacturers will benefit. The Union government should review the total vaccine requirement in the country and float a common tender," he said. "There should not be any unhealthy competition between states...It would not look good," Mr Tope added.