Centre Rejects SII Plea To Export 50 Lakh Covishield Vaccines To UK, Says ‘Protect Indians First’

In the wake of severe supply crunch of Covid-19 vaccines in the country, the government of India has has turned down the request from Serum Institute of India to export 50 lakh doses of Covishield to UK under its prior commitments.

After several rounds of negotiations by the SII, the Central government, despite international pressure, insisted that the local vaccine production be supplied to protect Indians first.

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As quoted in media reports, the official sources aware of the development said that the states have been asked to approach the compmany to negotiate contracts in order to to procure these doses which are likely to be used to vaccinate those between 18-44 age.

“These 50 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine are now available for inoculating people between 18-44 years age. States have been asked to procure it. Private hospitals can also get them,” source reportedly said. 

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 17,26,33,761. 

As reported by Union Health Ministry, 5,18,479 beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine on Monday and cumulatively 25,52,843 across 30 States/UTs since the start of Phase-3 of the vaccination drive. 

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The government has claimed that it has so far provided more than 18 crore vaccine doses (18,00,03,160) to States/UTs Free of Cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 17,09,71,429 doses.

More than 90 lakh COVID Vaccine doses (90,31,691) are still available with the States/UTs to be administered. Furthermore, more than 7 lakh (7,29,610) vaccine doses will be received in addition by the States/UTs within the next 3 days.