India to resume export of surplus Covid-19 vaccines next month

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

India will resume Covid-19 vaccine exports in the fourth quarter of 2021 starting October this year, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Monday.

Citing massive ramp up on production with 30 crore doses expected for domestic use in October, Mandaviya said Vaccine Maitri will be resumed in the fourth quarter starting October 2021.

He said not only will India “help other countries with Covid vaccines starting the last quarter this year India will also fulfil the commitment of towards COVAX, the global Vaccine initiative, in line with the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".

“We will receive 30 crore vaccines and more in October once Biological E begins production and the surplus supply of vaccines will be used to fulfill our commitment towards the world for the collective fight against Covid-19,” he said.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO.

Highlighting the importance of indigenous research and production of Covid vaccines in India, Mandaviya said that it is due to the relentless efforts and guidance of PM Narendra Modi that India was simultaneously undertaking Research and Development and production of Covid vaccines in line with the global developments.

“India's vaccination drive has been a role model for the world and it is marching ahead with great speed. More than four times we have crossed one crore since the vaccination drive was commenced on January 16,” he said with one crore doses expected to be administered today also.

Informing about the expected production in the coming months, he said that more than 30 crore doses will be produced in October and more than 100 crore doses in the coming quarter will be produced.

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