250 Crore COVID19 Vaccine Doses To Be Available By December 2021: Govt

Mumbai: The Union government on Wednesday reiterated that a plan is ready to vaccinate the entire eligible population of the country against COVID-19 by the end of the year.

Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said that the government is expecting 250 crore vaccine doses to be available by December 2021.

The minister also informed that the government was in discussions with Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson to introduce their COVID-19 vaccines in India.

“The government has prepared an action plan for the production of 250 crore vaccine doses by the end of December (2021) after vaccinating everyone and talking to several pharma companies. Sputnik arrived in Hyderabad yesterday; discussions are on to get Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson too,” Reddy told reporters today.

The minister said that the government has also relaxed the import rules so that private hospitals can import COVID-19 vaccines from abroad.

“India ranks third in comparison to other countries in terms of vaccinating its citizens. We have simplified import rules so that private hospitals can import vaccines. The vaccination campaign will continue for the next 7-8 months. Be assured that everyone will get the vaccine,” the Union minister said.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) removed the requirement of specific bridging trials of COVID-19 vaccines which have been approved by international regulatory bodies like the US FDA. The decision paves way for foreign vaccines to make their way into India.

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