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Title: Need to restore the quota of vaccines/preventive medicines allotted to Kerala.
SHRIMATI P. SATHEEDEVI (BADAGARA): Sir, I draw the attention of this august House through you regarding the acute shortage of supply of primary vaccines for the National Immunisation Programme in the country which aims at protecting our children against six vaccine-preventable-diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, typhoid and childhood turbeculosis.
The Universal Immunisation Programme vaccines include the BCG, DPT, OPV and the measles vaccines. These vaccines are in acute shortage and the allotment to the State of Kerala – where the Universal Immunisation Programme is strengthened so much – is cut. There is only 30 per cent allotment whereas the actual requirement is huge. There is only 30 per cent supply of this.
Recently, it has been reported that the licences of three major public sector drug manufacturing companies in the country have been cancelled without making any alternative arrangement for the production of these vaccines and other drugs. Actually, it has paved the way for the unscrupulous private and the multinational companies in the field of drug manufacturing.
The licences of the Central Research Institute, Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh, the PII in Tamil Nadu, the BCGVL in Chennai which are the drug manufacturing companies have been cancelled without making any alternative arrangement. The State of Kerala is suffering a lot due to the shortage in the supply of vaccines.
Hence, I urge upon the Ministry to take immediate and proper action for the adequate supply of these vaccines to the State of Kerala as also the other States to ensure safety and protection of our children. Thank you.
DR. K.S. MANOJ (ALLEPPEY): Sir, I would associate myself with Shrimati Satheedevi in this matter.
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, you please associate with it. I thank you for your cooperation.
Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy.