Potential Impact on Affordable Vaccines: Maharashtra Leader Questions Haffkine Transfer

Maharashtra Congress Opposes Move to Transfer Haffkine’s DPT Vaccine Strain to Private Firm​

Concerns Raised Over Public Health and Vaccine Affordability​

Mumbai, March 24: Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday opposed the reported move to transfer a rare and historically significant DPT vaccine strain from the Haffkine Institute to a private company, warning that the decision could impact public health and increase vaccine costs for the poor.

Raising the issue in the state assembly through a point of information, Wadettiwar questioned the process initiated after a proposal from Reliance Life Sciences to procure the Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus vaccine strain. He also raised concerns about the urgency with which the Haffkine Institute invited an Expression of Interest for the transfer.

Historic Significance of Haffkine Institute Highlighted​

Established in 1899, the Haffkine Institute is among India’s oldest biomedical research institutions. Named after Dr Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine, the scientist who developed the plague vaccine, the institute plays a key role in research, training, and testing related to infectious diseases.

Wadettiwar emphasized the importance of preserving the institute’s biological resources, describing the DPT vaccine strain as a rare and valuable asset.

Questions Over Valuation and Transfer Process​

According to Wadettiwar, the DPT vaccine strain held by the institute is an extremely rare bio-resource with a market value running into hundreds of crores. He alleged that the process to invite an Expression of Interest was initiated hastily, without sufficient deliberation.

He further questioned the rationale behind transferring such a resource to a private entity when the institute itself has the capability to manufacture vaccines.

“When Haffkine itself has the capacity to manufacture vaccines, why is a biological asset of around Rs 1,500 crore being handed over to a private company?” he asked.

Warning on Impact to Public Health System​

Wadettiwar cautioned that transferring control of the vaccine strain to a private company could lead to higher vaccine prices, affecting accessibility for common citizens.

He also flagged concerns about private control over critical biological assets, stating that such a move could weaken the public health system.

Calling for immediate intervention, he urged that the transfer process be halted and that the Haffkine Institute be strengthened to expand its in-house vaccine production capabilities.