Minister Veena George directs to take strict action against medical stores hoarding typhoid vaccine

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With typhoid vaccine becoming mandatory for hotel employees to acquire health cards, minister Veena George has instructed to take strict action against medical stores that hoard polysaccharide vaccine worth only Rs 200 and instead sell conjugate vaccine worth Rs 2000. Instructions regarding the same were given to the drugs controller. The government has also decided to distribute the polysaccharide vaccine through Karunya Pharmacies at a low price. This was reported by Kerala Kaumudi on Sunday, following which the action was taken.

Drugs Controller PM Jayan has directed medical store owners' associations to stock the polysaccharide vaccine. Drug inspectors have been assigned to ensure this. The Minister said that the Medical Services Corporation has been directed to provide typhoid vaccine at the lowest possible cost through Karunya outlets.

Health Card: deadline extended

Minister Veena George announced that the deadline to get health card has been extended til February 28. So far, about 60 percent of the hotel staff have taken the card.