Vaccine Maitri: Government to resume vax exports from October

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

India will resume Covid-19 vaccine exports in the fourth quarter of 2021 starting October this year, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Monday, in a major policy shift from April this year when exports were banned to meet domestic requirements.

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Citing massive ramp-up on the vaccine production front with 30 crore doses expected in October, Mandaviya said ‘Vaccine Maitri’ would be resumed starting October and only excess doses would be exported.

On the expected production in the coming months, the Minister said more than 30 crore doses would be produced in October and more than 100 crore were expected in the last three months of the year as Biological E too would begin its production.

The Minister said not only would India “help other countries with Covid vaccines starting the last quarter this year, it would also fulfil the commitment towards COVAX, the global vaccine initiative, in line with the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organisation.

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

Mandaviya said in September alone, 26 crore doses would be received from indigenous vaccine makers.

Highlighting the importance of indigenous research and production of Covid vaccines in India, Mandaviya said it was 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 entire world and it is marching ahead with great speed,” the minister said.

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• 30,256 India cases
• TOTAL DEATHS: 4,45,133
• ACTIVE CASES 3,18,181
• UK begins vax rollout for schoolchildren

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