‘Vaccine vendors paid in advance’

Govt. tells HC it is awaiting supplies to begin inoculating those above 18 years

The State government on Thursday told the Madras High Court that the Centre had allotted 10.3 lakh COVID-19 vaccines to Tamil Nadu for the universal adult inoculation drive and instructed it to purchase the vaccines only from two private vendors. The vendors, in turn, insisted on payment of 100% advance amount. The government paid the entire money on Tuesday and is awaiting the supplies to commence vaccination for those above 18 years of age. Appearing before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy through virtual mode, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan said there were certain limitations in procuring the vaccines since the Centre was deciding the allocation, and stated that Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Managing Director P. Umanath would explain the issue in detail to the court since he was the purchase officer for the vaccines.