Varicella Vaccine Procurement Rule Relaxed
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Procurement for government varicella vaccine contracts under Rs 200 crore was strictly restricted to domestic suppliers. NOW: Foreign suppliers are legally permitted to bid for these contracts through Global Tender Enquiries until March 31, 2027.
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BEFORE: The varicella vaccine was subject to standard 'Make in India' public procurement limitations. NOW: The live attenuated varicella vaccine has been explicitly added to a special government list of 127 exempted drugs.
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BEFORE: Meeting the national immunisation schedule demand relied entirely on local production capabilities for the chickenpox vaccine. NOW: The government can leverage global manufacturing capacity to ensure immediate vaccine security and bypass local shortages.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements regarding the varicella vaccine and its recent procurement relaxation is/are correct? 1. The Department of Expenditure has permitted Global Tender Enquiries for the varicella vaccine for tenders below Rs 200 crore. 2. The varicella vaccine is typically a killed (inactivated) vaccine used to prevent smallpox.