Local bodies mull direct purchase of vaccine

District officials say there is no govt directive permitting move

Being increasingly on the receiving end of the public ire over the shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, a section of local bodies in the district are exploring the seemingly improbable option of direct purchase of the vaccine. The health standing committee of the Maradu municipality took a decision along a similar line on Thursday and is now set to place it before the council for approval before forwarding it to the State government. “Nearly 3,000 residents of the municipality aged above 60 years who are now due for the second dose of the vaccine are clamouring for it and constantly ringing up councillors. We are prepared to buy the vaccine directly using our own funds as it assumes priority over any other development works at the moment. We are also open to contribute to the State government’s vaccine challenge if that guarantees vaccine to municipal residents,” said Antony Asanparambil, Maradu Municipal Chairman.