As part of its ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, India has exported over 60 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 76 countries. Most of the vaccine doses exported are that of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, according to reports by ANI, India will “calibrate” its supply schedules keeping in mind the domestic requirement. The move comes amid the fast-paced vaccination drive in the country facing off with the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. Citizens aged over 45 years can avail the vaccination, the Indian government had announced recently.
“Keeping in view domestic requirement of vaccines, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries in coming weeks and months in a phased manner. This position remains unchanged. We’ve not imposed any ban on export of vaccines, unlike many other countries”, sources told ANI.
According to a Reuters report, this potential delay in the supply of vaccines has triggered alarm on Thursday, with the head of Africa’s disease control agency describing the continent as “helpless”.
India has promised more than 900 million doses of the vaccine in bilateral commercial deals.
“We remain committed to help the world with vaccines, including through COVAX facility. Given our current manufacturing capacity & requirements, there may be a need to calibrate supply schedules from time to time. All stakeholders would have to cooperate as required”, ANI’s sources added.
We remain committed to help the world with vaccines, including through COVAX facility. Given our current manufacturing capacity & requirements, there may be a need to calibrate supply schedules from time to time. All stakeholders would have to cooperate as required: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2021
The Serum Institute of India and the WHO have previously warned that manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines face a shortage of raw materials essential for vaccine manufacturing, in part due to a US ban on export of some products.
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