PANJIM: Serum Institute of India, Pune has now informed the Goa government that it will supply 32,870 COVID-19 vaccine doses, a quantity much less than what had been ordered.
Directorate of Health Services, State immunisation programme, chief medical officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said, “Serum Institute of India on Wednesday informed us that they will supply 32,870 COVID-19 vaccine doses. But we haven’t received the stock.”
“We will purchase these vaccines from the company at Rs 300 per dose,” Borkar said, adding that the government had placed an order for five lakh vaccines.
The Serum Institute of India manufactures Covishield vaccine. Goa has 6.50 lakh population in the age group of 18-45 years.
Several States, including Goa, postponed the scheduled May 1 roll out of COVID-19 immunisation programme for vaccination of persons aged between 18 and 44 years due to lack of vaccines.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had spoken to Serum Institute of India chief executive officer (CEO) Adar Poonawalla requesting him to supply five lakh vaccine doses for vaccination after the company communicated that they were not in position to supply the requirement due to prior commitments of the Government of India.
Besides, Serum Institute of India, Goa government had also enquired with Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, to procure COVID-19 vaccines. Bharat Biotech manufactures Covaxin vaccines. However, there was no response from the company.
