National

Anbumani assures West Bengal vaccine supply

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday said sufficient supply of vaccines would be made to West Bengal by October.

This would ensure a regular vaccine calendar, he told an all-party delegation from West Bengal, led by Health Minister Surjya Kanta Mishra, here.

Responding to a demand to utilise the Pasteur Institute in Kolkata for manufacture of vaccines, Dr. Ramadoss said a team from the Ministry would explore the possibility considering the capacity and quality requirements on a sustained basis.

On suspension of licence for the CRI in Kasauli, the Pasteur Institute at Coonoor, and the BCG Vaccine Laboratory in Chennai, Dr. Ramadoss said the action was taken to maintain quality standards in vaccine production, which was paramount.

The Minister assured the delegation of co-operation to the State in public health and said the Centre was committed to setting up an AIIMS-like institute there, the formalities for which had been completed.

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