Centre Allows Serum Institute To Export Covishiled Vaccines To Foreign Nation Under COVAX
The supply of COVID vaccines to foreign nations was put on hold in April this year during the second wave of the pandemic
Mumbai: According to recent reports, Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer will soon resume its supply of Covishield vaccines to foreign nations, under the COVAX programme.
COVAX stands for ‘Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access.’ It is co-led by Gavi, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The initiative enables access to coronavirus vaccines, tests and therapies for low-to-middle income countries.
The Union government has allowed the SII to export 5 million doses of Covishield under COVAX. Nepal was scheduled to receive the first batch, on November 24. The delivery has, however, been delayed.
“The first consignment from the main Pune facility was scheduled to leave for Nepal today. However, the delivery has been delayed by two three days due to some reason. The exact date of the consignment dispatch is still awaited,” news agency ANI quoted a Serum Institute official as saying, on Monday.
Under COVAX, United Nations, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Mozambique are backed up with the vaccine supplies. India plays a significant role in the production and worldwide distribution of vaccines.
The supply of COVID vaccines to foreign nations was put on hold by the government in April this year during the second wave of the pandemic. With the second wave now under control, the supply to COVAX was expected to restart soon.
Earlier in a tweet, Serum Institute of India’s Chairman, Adar Poonawala had asserted that states in India have stockpiled as many as 200 million jabs of the Covishield COVID vaccine.
He said, “The vaccine industry has worked tirelessly to provide enough stocks for the nation. Today there are over 200 million doses available with states. I urge all adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccine hesitancy is now the greatest threat in overcoming this pandemic.”
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