Coronavirus: Kejriwal says Pfizer, Moderna refused to sell Covid vaccines directly to states

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna have refused to sell vaccines directly to the Delhi government. Speaking with reporters the Delhi CM said that the US pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Moderna have made it clear that “they will deal with the central government” only.

“We’ve spoken to Pfizer, Moderna for vaccines, and both the companies have refused to sell vaccines directly to us. They have said that they will deal with the Government of India alone,” the Delhi CM told ANI.

CM Kejriwal also appealed to the Centre to import the vaccines and distribute them to the states. Delhi is facing a shortage of vaccine supply and on Saturday, the city government halted vaccine rollout for the 18-44 age group on Saturday due to the shortage of doses. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also said that vaccine makers like Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have told them that they are in touch with the centre and will not deal with state governments.

“We contacted Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer and they said they are in touch with the Government of India and will not give vaccines to the states. The Centre has asked us to place global tenders but it is also talking to these companies separately. When they asked us to buy from manufacturers in India, we placed orders but the supply is being regulated by the Centre. The Centre puts curbs on how much we can get from private companies…….,” The Indian Express quoted Sisodia as saying.

The Delhi CM’ statement comes a day after Punjab government’s claim that Moderna has refused to sell them vaccines. Rge US-based COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer refused to send vaccines directly to the Punjab government stating that it only deals with the Centre, a senior state official said on Sunday.

Punjab’s nodal officer for vaccination Vikas Garg said according to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s directions, all vaccine manufacturers were approached for direct purchase of Covid vaccines including Sputnik V, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. A reply was received only from Moderna wherein the company refused to deal with the state government, he said. According to Moderna’s policy, it deals with the government of India and not with any state government or private parties, the Punjab government said in a statement.