Tamil Nadu government allows global tender for 3.5 crore doses of Covid vaccine. Unlike Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu does not restrict Chinese vaccine makers from bidding, said an official.

A senior official "We are allowing every product (vaccine) as long as it is approved by the World Health Organisation and licensed by the Drugs Controller General of India,” told IANS. The officials informs that about six vaccines have been approved by WHO and three by DCGI. On the other hand, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in its one crore vaccine dose tender has disqualified companies located in countries sharing borders with India. The only restrictions specified in the tender issued by Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Ltd are:

(a) the bidder`s vaccine should be approved by WHO.

(b) It should be licensed for use in India by the Drugs Controller General of India on the day of bidding.

(c) In case the vaccine is approved by WHO but not approved by the DCGI on the day of bidding then purchase is subject to the issue of license/approval by DCGI.

(d) The vaccine storage temperature specification should be "2-8 degrees C. Do not freeze”

(e) If bid is made by a vaccine manufacturer then it should either directly or through any other authorized dealer.

(f) In case the bidder is not a manufacturer, then he as authorised by the manufacturer must have supplied goods similar to the extent of at least 50 million doses in any one of the last two years to any country in the world, of which at least 25 million doses should have been supplied in the last one year.

Meanwhile, syringe manufacturers are expecting a spike in demand for their vaccines with different states going for global tenders. While the states are issuing tenders for Covid-19 vaccine, tenders for syringes are yet to be made.

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