India will resume its flagship Vaccine Maitri initiative in the fourth quarter starting October to reduce supply inequity in poorer nations. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said India’s vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce more than 30 crore doses in October for the domestic drive.
Citing massive ramp-up on the vaccine production front, only excess doses would be exported to fulfill the country’s commitment towards the global fight against Covid. 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. Mandaviya said the Government is receiving 26 crore doses from domestic manufacturers this month. “The rate of vaccination is also constantly increasing. On four days, we have administered more than one crore doses each. Today also, there is a possibility that we might cross the one-crore mark. In October, we have a possibility of receiving more than 30 crore doses,” he said.
The central government had supplied over 66 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to more than 70 countries as part of the Vaccine Maitri initiative earlier this year. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Afghanistan, Mexico, DR Congo, Nigeria and the UK were among some of the beneficiaries of the Vaccine Maitri initiative.
