CHANDIGARH: US-based manufacturer Moderna said that it cannot vaccines directly to the states. The company replied to the Punjab government that it only deals with the central government and not with any state government or any private party. The Punjab government has been in touch with international companies for vaccines following the acute shortage of vaccines in the state.

State nodal officer for vaccination, Vikas Garg said that all vaccine manufacturers were approached for direct purchase of various Covid vaccines, including Sputnik V, Pfizer, Modern, and Johnson & Johnson, as per the directions of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to ensure early inoculation in the state.