Vaccine makers seek higher allocation

The newly-formed Vaccine Manufacturers Association (VMA) has sought higher budgetary allocation for the industry.

“The government has allocated only Rs 500 crore to the vaccines and immunisation sector from the Rs 25,000- crore healthcare budget, whereas in Pakistan the spending is Rs800 crore and in China it is Rs 9,000 crore. The government should increase the allocation to 10 per cent,” said Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director, Bharat Biotech, and president of VMA here on Wednesday.

Currently, 0.9 per cent of India’s total GDP is spent on vaccination. “Our vaccines are supplied to 140 countries globally, but not utilised here. India would need a strategy to face the health challenges for its 1.2 billion population,” he added.

According to a World Health Organisation report, India has the second highest communicable diseases, next to Africa. From 1975 to 2010, the country introduced just five vaccines and covered 52-53 per cent of immunisation. Whereas, Africa has already achieved 90 per cent of its Millennium-4 immunisation goal and Brazil has 15 vaccines. The association consists of five major vaccine manufacturer.