History will not forgive if we lose more vaccines: Eatala

Urges Centre to assess need across country, procure vaccines from wherever possible

Criticising the allotment of medical resources to State governments, Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender has said that asking States to buy and distribute vaccines against COVID-19 is “narrow-minded”. Stating that every rupee spent by a government is tax money paid by the people, Mr Rajender pointed out that the vaccines are sold at ₹150 to the Centre while the rate changed to ₹600-1,000 for State governments. He said States will have to cough up more if they buy the vaccine directly from manufacturers. Requesting the Centre to assess requirement across the country and buy vaccines from wherever it is available, he added, “Or, support the manufacturers, take vaccines from them and be on the job of giving it to the people of our country. Companies were permitted to sell wherever they wanted to, at a profit. Vaccines produced here have already gone to other countries. History will not forgive if we lose more”.