India would resume the export of COVID-19 vaccines under ‘Vaccine Maitri’ in order to fulfill the commitment towards COVAX, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Monday.
“We are resuming Vaccine Maitri next month in line with our motto ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’,’’ he said. The surplus supply of vaccines would be used to fulfill India’s commitment towards the world for the collective fight against the virus.
COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organisation.
Speaking about increased vaccine production in the coming months, he stated that more than 30 crore doses would be made in October. More than 100 crore doses would be produced in the coming quarter, he added.
Highlighting the importance of indigenous research and production of COVID-19 vaccines, he observed that India’s vaccination drive had been a role model for the world and it was marching ahead with great speed. “More than four times, we have crossed one crore vaccination administration in a single day since the drive commenced on January 16,’’ he noted.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage crosses 81 crore
Meanwhile in a release issued on Monday, the Health Ministry said India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed the 81 crore landmark (81,73,95,763) on Monday.
“More than 85.68 lakh (85,68,026) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 p.m. today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight,” the release said.
It added that out of 81,73,95,763, 64.8% or 60,88,10,164 eligible people had received first dose of vaccines and 22.2% or 20,85,85,599 persons had received the second dose.
The Ministry said the vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
