Former DGP of Karnataka, Shankar Bidari on Friday demanded state government to utilise Vaccine Institute at Belagavi to produce Covid19 Vaccine.
He listed few points to highlight the need of Vaccine production at Belagavi Vaccine Institute –
- The Vaccine Institute at Belagavi has a commendable track record of more than 100 years in producing VACCINES . It has earned laurels by producing Small Pox and Anti Rabies Vaccines during the last 115 years . It is ideally situated in a temperate climate area and has got 200 Acres of area with a marvellous compound wall. It has also at least some staff well trained in Production of vaccines . It is a State Government Institution and property.
- COVID 19 is not likely to vanish for at least one or two years . Demand for vaccines runs into 100s of millions . There is urgent and acute need to step up production of Covid vaccines within the country.
- Maharashtra Government is now using the facilities at Haffkine’s Institute in Mumbai to step up production of Covid vaccine by leasing it out to Bharat Biotech .Compared to Haffkine’s Institute, infrastructure, facilities, climatic conditions, staff and track record at Vaccine Institute, Belagavi are far better .
- State Government may immediately consider entering into an agreement either with Bharat Biotech or Serum Institute to make use of the facilities at Vaccine Institute, Belagavi for producing Covid Vaccine Ona large scale .,Matter most urgent not only for Karnataka but also entire country.
- Will Karnataka Government act fast ?
