New Delhi: The much-awaited approval for indigenous jab Covaxin developed by Hyderabad-based manufacturer Bharat Biotech from World Health Organisation seems to be closer as the final phase trial data of the vaccine is under study.

According to chief scientist at WHO Soumya Swaminathan, who spoke to the channel CNBC TV-18 has indicated that the final phase trial data for Covaxin “looks good” and meets the safety profile of the international public health agency so far.

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The pre-submission meeting between Bharat Biotech and WHO was held on June 23, Swaminathan informed the channel saying that the data packet is currently being assembled. Even as the Covaxin’s efficacy against the Delta variant of Covid-19 is a bit low, it is still not bad, and the overall efficacy is “quite high,” noted the WHO scientist.

The home-grown vaccine maker shared the findings of its vaccine with public from its Phase-3 efficacy analysis of Covaxin last week claiming an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent against symptomatic Covid-19 patients. While the pre-print data from “India’s largest efficacy trial” demonstrated 93.4 per cent effectiveness against severe symptomatic Covid-19 cases from the jab. The vaccine provides 65.2 per cent protection against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) strain, which is the most predominant Covid-19 variant in India, the company said.

The World Health Organization closely monitors all the vaccines that are looking for emergency listing, said Swaminathan adding that the agency will analyse more data before giving its final verdict.

While stressing on vaccination to tackle the Covid-19 situation, the WHO chief scientist said the government should focus on primary immunisation of at least 60-70 per cent of the population. She insisted on broadening the scope of primary vaccination rather than focusing on booster shots. It is only after a sizeable population has been vaccinated that India can move to booster doses taking inspiration from countries like the United Kingdom, which are focused on booster dose now.

Most of the world, except some districts in the United States, has recently seen a spurt in Covid-19 cases while there has been no reduction in the death toll, Swaminathan noted.

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Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech, the biotechnology firm on Saturday announced the efficacy and safety of the indigenous vaccine Covaxin which was jointly developed with the ICMR & NIV Pune. The firm said that it has concluded the final analysis of the Phase III trials. 

“Phase 3 clinical trials of Covaxin was an event-driven analysis of 130 symptomatic COVID-19 cases, reported at least two weeks after the 2nd dose, conducted at 25 sites across India,” the official press release said. 

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Key findings of the analysis:

• 77.8% effective against symptomatic Covid-19, through evaluation of 130 confirmed cases, with 24 observed in the vaccine group versus 106 in the placebo group.
• 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic Covid-19.
• 12% of subjects experiencing commonly known side effects and less than 0.5% of subjects feeling serious adverse events.
• Covaxin demonstrated 63.6% protection against asymptomatic Covid-19.
• Efficacy data showed 65.2% protection against the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.617.2 Delta variant.

According to Bharat Biotech, Covaxin is the first licensed Covid-19 vaccine to report promising efficacy against asymptomatic infections based on qPCR testing. This will help in reducing disease transmission, the company said.

In response to the fresh efficacy data, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research Dr Balram Bhargava said that Covaxin will “immensely contribute to protect the global community against the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus” apart from benefiting Indian citizens.

“I am delighted to note that Covaxin, developed by ICMR and Bharat Biotech under an effective public-private partnership, has demonstrated an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent in India’s largest Covid Phase 3 clinical trial thus far. Our scientists at ICMR and BBIL have worked tirelessly to deliver a truly effective vaccine of the highest international standards. The successful development of Covaxin has consolidated the position of Indian academia and industry in the global arena,” Dr Bhargava said.

The press release also stated that it has been specifically designed to meet the needs of global distribution chains, the requirements for which are more critical in low- and middle-income countries. It has been formulated to enable shipping and long-term storage at 2-8ºC. It is also formulated to adhere to a multi-dose vial policy, thereby reducing open vial wastage, saving money to procurement agencies and governments alike.

 

The United States National Institute of Health (NIH) has said India’s Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin effectively neutralises both Alpha and Delta variants of coronavirus.

The results of two studies of blood serum from the people, who had received Covaxin, suggest the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralise the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the UK and India respectively, said the NIH.

The NIH, which has a strong scientific collaboration with India, said that an adjuvant developed with funding from it has contributed to the success of the highly efficacious Covaxin.

The NIH said Covaxin – developed by Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research – comprises a disabled form of SARS-CoV-2 that cannot replicate but still stimulates the immune system to make antibodies against the virus.

Stating the published results from a phase 2 trial of the vaccine indicate it is safe and well-tolerated, the top U.S. health research institute added that safety data from a phase 3 trial of Covaxin will become available later this year.

READ | ‘Pricing Clearly Established For Supplies Outside India’: Bharat Biotech On Brazil Covaxin Deal Controversy

Meanwhile, unpublished interim results from the phase 3 trial indicate that the vaccine has 78 percent efficacy against symptomatic disease, 100 percent efficacy against severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation, and 70 percent efficacy against asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, PTI reported the NIH as saying.

The NIH further said the results from two studies of blood serum from the people, who had received Covaxin, suggest that the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralise the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the UK and India respectively.

Meanwhile, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony S. Fauci said ending a global pandemic requires a global response.

Fauci expressed his pleasure that a novel vaccine adjuvant developed in the US with NIAID – part of NIH – support is part of an efficacious Covid-19 vaccine available to the people in India.

Alhydroxiquim-II, the adjuvant used in Covaxin, was discovered and tested in a laboratory by biotech company ViroVax LLC of Lawrence, Kansas, with the NIAID Adjuvant Development Program’s support.

Alhydroxiquim-II is the first adjuvant in an authorised vaccine against infectious disease to activate receptors TLR7 and TLR8 that play a vital role in the immune response to viruses.

The alum in Alhydroxiquim-II stimulates the immune system to search for an invading pathogen.

The NIH said the molecules that activate TLR receptors stimulate the immune system powerfully, but the side effects of Alhydroxiquim-II are mild.

The NIAID Adjuvant Program has supported the research of the founder and chief executive officer of ViroVax, Dr Sunil David, M.D., Ph.D., since 2009, the NIH added.

The collaboration between Dr David and Bharat Biotech was initiated during a 2019 meeting in India coordinated by the NIAID Office of Global Research under the auspices of NIAID’s Indo-US Vaccine Action Program.

Bharat Biotech signed a licensing agreement with Dr David to use Alhydroxiquim-II in their candidate vaccines.

This license was expanded during the Covid pandemic to include Covaxin, which has received Emergency Use Authorisation in India and several other nations.

Stating the company conducted extensive safety studies of Alhydroxiquim-II and undertook the complex process of scaling up production of the adjuvant under Good Manufacturing Practice standards, the NIH said Bharat Biotech expects to produce an estimated 700 million doses of Covaxin by this year-end.

(With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi: Asserting that a “step-by-step” approach was followed towards contracts and regulatory approvals during an eight-month-long process, pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech has clarified that it had not received any payment from the Brazilian government so far.

The pharmaceutical company’s statement came following a temporary suspension of a deal with Brazil for 20 million doses of the Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine.

“As of 29th June 2021, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to Ministry of Health Brazil,” the company said in a statement.

“The pricing of Covaxin has been clearly established between $15-20 per dose for supplies to governments outside India. The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at $15 per dose,” PTI quoted the company as saying with regard to the pricing of the doses.

Bharat Biotech further said a “similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals, and supplies in several countries worldwide, where Covaxin is being supplied successfully”.

The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company had on June 4 received emergency use approval in Brazil.

This came after the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil- Anvisa, allowed import of the Covid-19 vaccine with certain conditions.

Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, however, on Wednesday announced that the company had temporarily suspended its deal with Bharat Biotech following allegations of irregularities in the deal.

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New Delhi: Congressman Luis Miranda and his brother Luis Ricardo Miranda, who raised suspicions about Brazil’s vaccine deal with India’s Bharat Biotech, arrived at a Senate commission inquiry on Friday wearing a bullet-proof vest for safety.

They are key witnesses in the hearing over alleged wrongdoing in a vaccine contract signed by Brazil’s government to procure Covaxin doses in a deal costing1.6 billion reais (USD 323 million).

The parliamentary inquiry is looking into the allegations that the Brazilian government deliberately delayed securing Covid vaccines besides the probe on its handling of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than half a million people in the country.

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The coordinator of the Senate inquiry called for giving protection to Congressman Luis Miranda and his brother, along with the owners of Precisa Medicamentos company, the Brazillian intermediary for Bharat Biotech.

 The government is accused of ignoring vaccine offers from Pfizer Inc that was reportedly quoting a lower price and then struck a speedy agreement with Bharat Biotech, the probe has been launched by federal prosecutors and lawmakers to ascertain the reason behind this.

Congressman Luis Ricardo Miranda and his brother have stated that they met president Bolsonaro in March and warned him of the suspicious contract, but nothing was done to investigate the deal.

Reuters reports that Miranda, who is the head of imports at the ministry, told senators that he refused to approve an import license because an invoice for a first shipment asked for an up-front payment and was sent by a company not mentioned in the contract, Singapore-based Madison Biotech.

The report adds that Miranda told prosecutors he was pressured by Alex Lial Marinho, an aide to one of Bolsonaro’s closest allies, former Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello.

Miranda’s brother supported the account.

The controversy has put mounting pressure on President Jair Bolsonaro to explain the deal with Bharat Biotech.

Responding to the controversy, the far-right president maintained that there were no irregularities in the contract. “There is nothing wrong with the Covaxin contract, there is no overpricing,” Reuters reported him as saying at a news conference on Friday.

He alleged that his enemies were trying to stain his government with unfounded accusations of corruption. “I am incorruptible,” he declared.

The controversy over the Covaxin contract threatens to damage his image of having zero tolerance for corruption in his government.

Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech also issued a statement in that regard: “We strongly refute and deny any kind of allegation or implication of any wrongdoing whatsoever with respect to the supply of COVAXIN.” It stated that Madison Biotech is its global sales and marketing unit.

The Indian manufacturer further contended that its vaccine pricing had been consistently USD15-$20 per dose for foreign governments, a range in which the Brazil contract fell. 

New Delhi: The result for Phase 3 clinical trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine is out as the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under India’s drug regulator on Tuesday gave approval to efficacy data for the Coronavirus jab.

According to the data submitted by Bharat Biotech, Covaxin has shown the efficacy of 77.8 per cent from the trial conducted on 25,800 subjects across the country, news agency ANI quoted citing sources.

The approval was given to country’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine after an expert panel met earlier in the day to review Covaxin’s trial data.

As per the procedue, SEC will not send Covaxin’s Phase 3 trial data to Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for review.

(This is a developing story. More details awaited.)

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New Delhi: The result for Phase 3 clinical trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine is out as the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under India’s drug regulator on Tuesday gave approval to efficacy data for the Coronavirus jab.

According to the data submitted by Bharat Biotech, Covaxin has shown the efficacy of 77.8 per cent from the trial conducted on 25,800 subjects across the country, news agency ANI quoted citing sources.

The approval was given to country’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine after an expert panel met earlier in the day to review Covaxin’s trial data.

As per the procedue, SEC will not send Covaxin’s Phase 3 trial data to Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for review.

(This is a developing story. More details awaited.)

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Hyderabad: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Monday (June 14) took over the security of Bharat Biotech International Limited’s Hyderabad unit.

A unit comprising 64 personnel has been sanctioned that will be headed by an Inspector rank officer.

With this induction, the total units under CISF security cover have risen to 351.

“The biohazard of any accidental or sabotage-related leakage of the material has the potential of a widespread disaster. In the light of the increased threat perception to the biotechnology company situated across the country, BBIL is inherently vulnerable to threats from anti-nationals & saboteurs. The CISF will provide round-the-clock armed security cover to the Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), Hyderabad,” Bharat Biotech said in a statement.

Bharat Biotech is an Indian biotechnology company engaged in drug discovery, drug development, and manufacture of vaccines, bio-therapeutics, pharmaceuticals and health care products.

It is the first fully indigenous manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccine called Covaxin in India.

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Hyderabad: In a setback to Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, the US Food and Drug Administration has “recommended” Ocugen Inc, the US partner of the Indian vaccine maker, to go for Biologics Licence Application (BLA) route with additional data, nixinghopes of Emergency Use Authorisation.

Ocugen in a statement on Thursday announced that as recommended by the FDA, it will pursue submission of a biologics licence application (BLA) for Covaxin. BLA, is a “full approval” mechanism by the FDA for drugs and vaccines.

“The company will no longer pursue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Covaxin. The FDA provided feedback to Ocugen regarding the Master File. The company had previously submitted and recommended that Ocugen pursue a BLA submission instead of an EUA application for its vaccine candidate and requested additional information and data,” Ocugen said.

The development may delay the Covaxin launch in the US, Ocugen said. Ocugen is in discussions with the FDA to understand the additional information required to support a BLA submission.
The company anticipates that data from an additional clinical trial will be required to support the submission.

“Although we were close to finalising our EUA application for submission, we received a recommendation from the FDA to pursue a BLA path. While this will extend our timelines, we are committed to bringing Covaxin to the US,” Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Ocugen said.

“This differentiated vaccine is a critical tool to include in our national arsenal given its potential to address the SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the delta variant, and given the unknowns about what will be needed to protect US population in the long term,” he added.

Ocugen recently announced that it secured exclusive rights to commercialise Covaxin in Canada and has initiated discussions with Health Canada for regulatory approval.
The company will pursue expedited authorisation for the vaccine under the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19 in Canada.

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New Delhi: Days after issuing new procurement guidelines, the Centre is reportedly in talks with Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech about revising Covid-19 vaccine prices. The Union government is currently purchasing Covishield and Covaxin for Rs 150.

“The revised procurement price per dose is yet to be decided under the new system,” a senior government official told the Indian Express.

On Tuesday, Covid-19 vaccine prices for private hospitals were revised, with Covishield shot costing Rs 780, Covaxin jab costing Rs 1,410, and Sputnik V dose costing Rs 1145. The new price is in accordance with the Health Ministry’s revised guidelines.

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The statement also detailed the 5% GST rates levied on vaccine doses: Rs 30 for Covishield, Rs 60 for Covaxin, and Rs 47.40-47 for Sputnik V.

“The price of vaccine doses for private hospitals would be declared by each vaccine manufacturer, and any subsequent changes would be notified in advance. The private hospitals may charge up to a maximum of Rs 150 per dose as service charges. State governments may monitor the price being so charged,” it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the Centre will provide free coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines to all adults across all states beginning June 21.

The Centre will take over from states, which were supposed to carry out about 25% of the country’s vaccination work, and will continue its ongoing efforts to target the 45+ population, as well as health care and front-line workers. In other words, under a new policy, the central government will be responsible for 75 percent of India’s vaccination drive.

It also means that all adults will receive free vaccines, with the exception of those who choose to go to private hospitals.

“For citizens, the Indian government will allot free vaccines to states. Seventy-five per cent of the total vaccines produced by manufacturers will be bought by the Centre and sent to states,” PM Modi said.

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New Delhi: A new joint study conducted by the researchers from Pune’s National Institute of Virology, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Bharat Biotech has found that indigenous vaccine Covaxin gives protection against Delta & Beta variants of the coronavirus. 

The study which is yet to be peer-reviewed is based on samples collected from 20 recovered COVID-19 patients and 17 people, who received the second dose of Covaxin 28 days before the study.

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Covaxin demonstrated a protective response against the two variants of concern, the study claims. “The finding of the study demonstrated a reduction in neutralization titers with sera of COVID-19 recovered cases (3.3-fold and 4.6-fold) and BBV152 vaccinees (3.0 and 2.7 fold) against B.1.351 and B.1.617.2 respectively,” the study said.

The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was first found in India and is the dominant strain in the country, the Beta variant  (B.1.351) was first discovered in South Africa.

However, the researchers concluded that despite a reduction in neutralization titer, the whole-virion inactivated vaccine demonstrated a protective response against the two variants of concern.

Covaxin was developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

 

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New Delhi: Delhi is left with 3,190 COVID vaccine doses in its balance stock out of which 1,120 doses are of Covaxin and 2,070 of Covishield reserved for the age group 18-44 years, informed the Delhi government.

As for the COVID vaccine supply reserved for people above 45 years of age, frontline workers, and healthcare workers alike, a total of 4,80,050 doses including 64,070 Covaxin doses and 4,15,980 Covishield doses are left in stock.

According to Delhi`s COVID vaccination bulletin, the COVID vaccine stock will last for another four days for Covaxin and 20 for Covishield from vaccines reserved for 45 and above.

Delhi has received a total of 15,15,690 doses of Covaxin and 34,86,420 doses of Covishield for people aged 45 years and above while 1,50,000 doses of Covaxine and 6,67,690 doses of Covisheild were received for people between the age 18-44 years.

However, Delhi will receive around 1,90,000 doses of vaccine supply on Tuesday, which includes 25,000 doses of Covaxin and 83,970 doses of Covishield. Currently, vaccination for 45 years and above is available at 717 sites of 495 centres while vaccination centres for 18 and above are closed.

Underlining that the Delhi government does not have vaccines to inoculate the 18-44 age group, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi said, “Vaccination of youth at government centres in Delhi has been closed for more than a week.

Only at private centres, the vaccine is being given to the youth at an expensive price. Delhi will get the next supply for the youth on June 10 and even then only 5 lakh doses will be available for the whole month, whereas we need 50 lakh doses for the youth only.”

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Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech on Sunday claimed that the indigenously produced Covid-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’ has been found to be effective against coronavirus strains found in India and the UK. 

Citing a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, the Hyderabad based Indian biotechnology company said Covaxin produces neutralizing titers (concentration) against all the key emerging variants of Covid-19 that were tested, including B.1.617 and B.1.1.7, fist identified in India and the UK, respectively. 

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News agency PTI reported that the study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology and Indian Council of Medical Research. 

Bharat Biotech co-founder and Joint Managing Director Suchitra Ella in Twitter post said, “Covaxin gets international recognition yet again, by scientific research data published demonstrating protection against the new variants.Yet another feather in its cap.”

While sharing the tweet, Ella  tagged Prime Minister’s Office, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, among others. 

She shared a link to article published in CID – Oxford University Press regarding the COVAXIN neutralising emerging variants. As per the study, “no difference in neutralization between B.1.1.7 (first isolated in the U.K.) and vaccine strain (D614G) was observed. 

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It further explained that a modest reduction in neutralization by a factor of 1.95 was observed against B.1.617 variant compared to vaccine variant (D614G). 

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has said that more than 1.84 crore vaccine doses are still available with states and Union Territories while nearly 51 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses are in the pipeline, which the states will receive in next three days. 

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New Delhi: In a recent development, a study conducted by Clinical Infectious Diseases in collaboration with National Institute of Virology and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that the ‘made in India’ COVID-19 vaccine, which is Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, produces neutralising titres against all new key variants of COVID-19 including the double mutant strain B.1.617 and B.1.1.7.

The peer-review publication, Clinical Infectious Diseases, on Sunday (May 16, 2021) revealed the findings of the new study. The publication wrote, “Vaccination with Covaxin produced neutralising titres against all key emerging variants tested, including B.1.617 and B.1.1.7, first identified in India and the UK, respectively.”

The study also found no difference in neutralisation between the UK variant and the vaccine strain (D614G). 

“A modest reduction in neutralisation by a factor of 1.95 was observed against the B.1.617 variant compared to vaccine variant (D614G),” the manuscript said.

“No difference in neutralisation between B.1.1.7 (first isolated in the UK) and vaccine strain (D614G) was observed,” the manuscript added.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan had also explained that Covaxin is more likely to work against newer variants like the UK variant and the double mutation (Indian variant, B.1.617).

About Covaxin

India-based Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine, which is made up of killed coronaviruses. Bharat Biotech used a sample of the coronavirus, isolated by India’s National Institute of Virology, to develop this vaccine. When administered, Covaxin immune cells can still recognise the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus.

This vaccine works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Bharat Biotech to share Covaxin formula with other manufacturers

The leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is ready to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine Covaxin with other manufacturers. NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul informed that ‘Bharat Biotech has welcomed this decision’ on Thursday (May 13, 2021).

Dr. VK Paul reportedly said, “People say that Covaxin be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, live virus is inactivated & this is done only in BSL3 labs.”

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday (May 14) said the state government has set a target of producing 3,000 metric tonnes of oxygen per day to ensure that the state does not face a paucity of life-saving gas.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation here, Pawar said measures are being taken to elevate the healthcare infrastructure considering experts’ prediction that children will be the most vulnerable during the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The state government has taken a decision to keep a target of producing 3,000 MT of oxygen per day. Currently, the production capacity in the state is over 1,200 MT, but a decision has been taken to increase the production by 1,800 MT to ensure that there is no shortage,” he said.

Ajit Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune, also said that several cases of Mucormycosis have been reported in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and rural parts of the district.

“As the medicines required for the treatment of the fungal infection are expensive, directives have been issued to ensure that the supply of such drugs is smooth, and to eliminate any possibility of black marketing,” he said.

As experts have predicted that children may be affected in the third wave of the pandemic, a task force comprising paediatricians has been formed and hospitals have been instructed to arrange beds for children, Pawar said.

The country is receiving help in terms of medicine, oxygen and other health resources from other nations, he said.

“The entire aid is going to the Centre and then it is being routed to states. We expect transparency about how much help the country is getting from abroad and how much is being distributed to the states. Help should be given to states based on the number of (COVID-19) cases they have,” he said.

The deputy chief minister also said that as Bharat Biotech is going to produce vaccines at the Manjari plant here, the district administration has been asked to provide them all the necessary help with power supply and other facilities.

“The divisional commissioner and collector had visited the plant, and it may take another three months to start producing vaccines at the facility,” he said.

Ajit Pawar said he has asked divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao to request the firm to give preference to Maharashtra in getting the vaccine after they fulfil their commitment to the Centre.

(inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi: The Niti Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul on Thursday (May 13, 2021) outlined the central government’s plan which involved a total of eight COVID-19 vaccines that will help India authorities inoculate all its citizens by the end of 2021. 

The Centre has given a push to increase vaccine manufacturing and has issued emergency use authorisation to Biological E, Zydus Cadila, Serum Institute of India for Novavax, Bharat Biotech’s nasal vaccine, Gennova and Sputnik V.

But for the time being, there will be three options available for the Indian citizens from the upcoming week. These options include Russia’s Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine- Covishiled and Serum institute of India’s Covaxin.

Sputnik V is an adenovirus-based vaccine that is being used by Russia for mass vaccination and has been approved by over 59 countries around the globe. 

Sputnik V is also known as Gam-Covid-Vac. This Russian vaccine is a combination of two different adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5), which are the viruses that cause common cold. These adenoviruses are combined with SARS-CoV-2 for the treatment, which prompts the body to make an immune response to it.

Additionally, Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine shares its name with the world’s first artificial satellite made by Russia.

A leading peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ, had earlier written on the princess of Sputnik V. The medical journal mentioned, “By the time the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic in early March 2020, the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow was already working on a prototype of Sputnik V, funded by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the country’s sovereign wealth fund.” 

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, commonly known as Covishield in India, is also based on the same philosophy. It “is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like coronavirus – although it can’t cause illness,” as per a BBC report.

On the other hand, India-based Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine, which is made up of killed coronaviruses. “Bharat Biotech used a sample of the coronavirus, isolated by India’s National Institute of Virology. When administered, immune cells can still recognise the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus,” the BBC report read.

Other reports on Covaxin also added that it works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

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New Delhi: Amid a political war of words between the Centre and the Delhi government over the availability of sufficient vaccines to inoculate all adults in the national capital, the central government has said that leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is ready to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine COVAXIN with other manufacturers.

NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul informed that ‘Bharat Biotech has welcomed this’ on Thursday, according to ANI

Dr. VK Paul reportedly said, “People say that Covaxin be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, live virus is inactivated & this is done only in BSL3 labs.”

“Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin, should do it together. Govt will assist so that capacity is increased,” he said as quoted by ANI.

The Centre, however, flagged the non-availability of a sophisticated laboratory with most vaccine makers that is necessary to produce the indigenously developed Covaxin jab.

The Centre also rejected the Delhi government’s claim that Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has refused to provide “additional” vaccine doses to the Delhi government, saying the national capital has received over 15 lakh doses of the vaccine and its role is to facilitate the states.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had alleged the Covaxin manufacturer in a letter said it cannot provide the Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under the instruction of government officials concerned.

“It means that the central government is controlling the supply of the vaccine,” Sisodia, who is a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had said.
Addressing a briefing of the Union Health Ministry, V K Paul said the Government of India’s role is to facilitate.

“We refute (the charge) that there is any pressure on anybody not to supply to any particular state,” he said, adding that such charges affect the morale of vaccine manufacturers.

He said Bharat Biotech is also ramping up its capacity and has already roped in three public sector undertakings. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of Covaxin and Covishield with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country.

On increasing production of Covaxin, Paul said Bharat Biotech has already welcomed the move of ramping up production of doses by involving other players. “They also reached out and under this initiative, our PSUs have been connected to this process,” he said.

Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs).

The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production.

“The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.E. Increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in July?August. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021,” the DBT had said.

Reacting to this, Kejriwal on Thursday tweeted, “A very welcome step by the central government. It will help in ramping up production.” “I also urge the Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international market,” he tweeted.

Giving details about Covaxin, Paul said that it is made by inactivating a live virus. During the briefing, Paul said that 75,000 Covaxin doses have been given to Delhi in May.

“In January-May, 13,91,000 Covaxin doses were received by Delhi. The state has procured 1 lakh doses, while private (institutions) have got 20,000 doses,” he said.

According to the vaccine bulletin issued by the Delhi government, the Centre has provided 13,91,000 doses of vaccine to the Delhi government and it has procured 1,50,000 doses from Bharat Biotech. So far, it has received 43,20,490 doses of Covishield and Covaxin.

Following the allegations levelled by the Delhi government, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal had denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by states.

Bharat Biotech on Wednesday had said it is quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company’s intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. 

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New Delhi: Amid a political war of words between the Centre and the Delhi government over the availability of sufficient vaccines to inoculate all adults in the national capital, the central government has said that leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is ready to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine COVAXIN with other manufacturers.

NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul informed that ‘Bharat Biotech has welcomed this’ on Thursday, according to ANI

Dr. VK Paul reportedly said, “People say that Covaxin be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, live virus is inactivated & this is done only in BSL3 labs.”

“Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin, should do it together. Govt will assist so that capacity is increased,” he said as quoted by ANI.

The Centre, however, flagged the non-availability of a sophisticated laboratory with most vaccine makers that is necessary to produce the indigenously developed Covaxin jab.

The Centre also rejected the Delhi government’s claim that Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has refused to provide “additional” vaccine doses to the Delhi government, saying the national capital has received over 15 lakh doses of the vaccine and its role is to facilitate the states.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had alleged the Covaxin manufacturer in a letter said it cannot provide the Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under the instruction of government officials concerned.

“It means that the central government is controlling the supply of the vaccine,” Sisodia, who is a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had said.
Addressing a briefing of the Union Health Ministry, V K Paul said the Government of India’s role is to facilitate.

“We refute (the charge) that there is any pressure on anybody not to supply to any particular state,” he said, adding that such charges affect the morale of vaccine manufacturers.

He said Bharat Biotech is also ramping up its capacity and has already roped in three public sector undertakings. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of Covaxin and Covishield with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country.

On increasing production of Covaxin, Paul said Bharat Biotech has already welcomed the move of ramping up production of doses by involving other players. “They also reached out and under this initiative, our PSUs have been connected to this process,” he said.

Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs).

The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production.

“The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.E. Increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in July?August. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021,” the DBT had said.

Reacting to this, Kejriwal on Thursday tweeted, “A very welcome step by the central government. It will help in ramping up production.” “I also urge the Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international market,” he tweeted.

Giving details about Covaxin, Paul said that it is made by inactivating a live virus. During the briefing, Paul said that 75,000 Covaxin doses have been given to Delhi in May.

“In January-May, 13,91,000 Covaxin doses were received by Delhi. The state has procured 1 lakh doses, while private (institutions) have got 20,000 doses,” he said.

According to the vaccine bulletin issued by the Delhi government, the Centre has provided 13,91,000 doses of vaccine to the Delhi government and it has procured 1,50,000 doses from Bharat Biotech. So far, it has received 43,20,490 doses of Covishield and Covaxin.

Following the allegations levelled by the Delhi government, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal had denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by states.

Bharat Biotech on Wednesday had said it is quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company’s intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. 

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New Delhi: The Centre, which has been working consistently and proactively to secure and enhance the availability of Covid-19 vaccines, on Thursday said India will have enough doses to inoculate all citizens by December.

Asserting “there should be no doubt that vaccines will be available for all as we move forward”, Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr Vinod Kumar Paul said 216 crore vaccine doses would become available between August and December.

ALSO READ | Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine Ready For Rollout, To Be Available In Market From Next Week

“Overall, 216 crore doses of vaccines will be manufactured in India between August and December, for India and for Indians,” he told a media briefing accompanied by Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Luv Agarwal.

He mentioned eight vaccines and the number of doses for each that are likely to be available in the country by December end.

The vaccination drive began in the country on January 16 with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield.

However, amid vaccine shortage in view of the surge in cases in the second wave of the pandemic, the expert panel of country’s drug regulator last month approved Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for emergency used in India.

“Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India. I am happy to say that we are hopeful that it will be available in the market next week. We are hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia) will begin next week,” said Dr Paul.

Moreover, the government’s new “Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy” aims at liberalized vaccine pricing and scaling up of vaccine coverage to incentivize vaccine manufacturers to rapidly augment their production and to attract new vaccine manufacturers. It would make pricing, procurement and administration of vaccines more flexible and ensure increased vaccine production as well as wider availability of vaccines in the country.

The government is also engaged in proactive dialogue with Bharat Biotech and some other PSUs, as well as private companies to execute technology transfer agreements. This would further enhance and augment the production of Covaxin in the country.

ALSO READ | 12 States Have Over 1 Lakh Covid Cases, 187 Districts Showed Decline In 2 Weeks: Health Ministry

Under the new policy, 100 percent doses of imported and ready to use foreign vaccine will be available for other than Government of India channel comprising state governments, private hospitals and hospitals of industrial establishments.

The new ‘Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy’ also incentivizes in terms of prices to attract private manufacturers including offshore vaccine manufacturers to enter the country.

The government is proactively engaging with foreign vaccine manufacturers like Moderna, Pfizer etc. to apply for emergency use authorization in India so that these vaccines can be easily imported and made available in India.

Simultaneously, the government along with other like-minded countries is also stressing on IPR waiver for the Covid-19 vaccines. These two interventions, taken in conjunction, will ensure easy availability of Covid -19 vaccines not only in India but globally too.

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New Delhi: A government panel has recommended a gap of at least 12-16 weeks between two doses of the anti-COVID vaccine Covishield. Currently, the interval between two doses of Covishield is four to eight weeks.

However, the panel did not recommend any change for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

The recommendations were made by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) which suggested increasing the gap between two doses of Serum Institute of India`s COVISHIELD to 12-16 weeks.

 

National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks; While no change recommended in the interval between two doses of Covaxin, say government sources

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2021

 

However, no such changes were recommended in the intervals of Bharat Biotech`s COVAXIN, sources said. “The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommends for increasing gap between two doses of COVISHIELD to 12-16 weeks. No change in interval of COVAXIN,” the sources said.

This is the second increase in the interval for Covishield in three months. In March, the Centre told states and UTs to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks for better results.

These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA – the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration – for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.

Earlier, a study published in the medical journal “The Lancet” on February 19 claimed a 26.2 per cent increase – from 55.1 per cent to 81.3 per cent – if doses were spaced 12 or more weeks apart.

NTAGI comprises of government representatives from the Department of Women and Child Development, internal finance division in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Biotechnology, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) besides health experts.

India started the world`s largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated first. 

The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2. The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. 

India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from April 1. 

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Hyderabad: A tweet from Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech’s Joint Managing Director Suchitra Ella saying 50 of their employees have tested COVID positive has evoked a mixed response from netizens with some questioning the effectiveness of its anti-COVID vaccine and while others wondering why the staff members were not vaccinated.

Referring to comments by some political leaders over COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin supply issues, Ella had on Wednesday tweeted “Quite disheartening to the teams to hear some states complaining about our intentions. 50 of our employees are off work due to Covid, yet we continue to work under pandemic lockdowns 24×7 for U.”

 

Covaxin dispatched 10/5/21.18 states have been covered thou in smaller shipments. Quite disheartening to the teams to hear Some states complaining about our intentions. 50 of our employees are off work due to covid, yet we continue to work under pandemic lockdowns 24×7 for U pic.twitter.com/FmQl4vtqXC

— suchitra ella (@SuchitraElla) May 11, 2021

 

Reacting to her tweet, one user wrote, “How come your 50 employees down with Covid? We’re they not vaccinated? Also, why not hire more people on a temporary basis?”

Ella’s tweet got 9,373 likes and was retweeted by 2,564 people by 10.30 AM on May 13). “Hi just wanted to say Thank you. Both my grandparents are over 75 & took their first jab 5 weeks back, both tested COVID positive 2 weeks back. Low fever was their only symptoms, tested negative today, on the road to recovery with no major issues,” tweeted another netizen.

“Thank you Bharat Biotech for your hard work and commitment to delivering vaccines to every corner of India,” another Twitter user said. Another user said, “If you say that your employees are sick of covid, it speaks volumes about the efficacy of your vaccine.”

Ella said as many as 18 states received Covaxin though in smaller shipments. The Hyderabad-based firm is supplying Covaxin to 18 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi.

The other states are Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to Bharat Biotech to start conducting Phase two and three clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin on children above 2 years old.

The national drug regulator said that it has accepted the recommendation of the SEC “after careful examination” and accorded permission to Covaxin manufacturer Bharat Biotech.

On Wednesday, the Hyderabad-based drugmaker said that it has got the necessary approval from an expert panel for conducting phase 2/3 trials on those aged between 2 to 18 years.

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New Delhi: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to Bharat Biotech to start conducting Phase two and three clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin on children above 2 years old.

The national drug regulator said that it has accepted the recommendation of the SEC “after careful examination” and accorded permission to Covaxin manufacturer Bharat Biotech.

On Wednesday, the Hyderabad-based drugmaker said that it has got the necessary approval from an expert panel for conducting phase 2/3 trials on those aged between 2 to 18 years.

The drug maker’s anti-COVID vaccine was recommended by an expert panel (Subject Expert Committee) for phase II/III clinical trials on those aged between two to 18 years.

The company will now conduct trials on 525 subjects at various sites, including AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS, Patna and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) said that deliberated upon Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s application seeking permission to conduct phase II/III clinical trials to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Covaxin jabs in children aged 2 to 18 years.

“After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for the conduct of proposed phase II/III clinical trial of the whole virion inactivated coronavirus vaccine in the 2 to 18 years age group subject to the condition that the firm should submit the interim safety data of phase II clinical trial along with DSMB recommendations to the CDSCO before proceeding to phase III part of the study,” a source was quoted as saying.

Earlier the proposal was deliberated in the SEC meeting dated February 24 and the firm was asked to submit a revised clinical trial protocol.

Covaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being used in adults in India’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive. 

The drugmaker on Tuesday said that it will continue the steady supply of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, adding the jab has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1. 

“COVAXIN has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1st. Unflinching in our efforts, we will continue the steady supply of our #vaccine,” Bharat Biotech said in a tweet.

The states include Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, the Hyderabad-based firm added.

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New Delhi: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has , after careful examination, accorded permission to conduct the Phase 2/3 clinical trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in the age group 2 to 18 years.

This comes as a reassuring update while experts predict that the third wave of Coronavirus pandemic in India could most severely affect children.

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“The National Regulator of the country, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), after careful examination, has accepted the recommendation of Subject Expert Committee (SEC) and accorded permission to conduct the Phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin (COVID vaccine) in the age group 2 to 18 years, to its manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd on 12.05.2021,” the official statement read.

It further informed that Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech Ltd had proposed to carry out a Phase- 2/3 clinical trial of Covaxin in the age group of 2 to 18 years. The trial will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers.

The vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses on day 0 and day 28, in the trial.

As a rapid regulatory response, the proposal was deliberated in the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) (COVID-19) on 11.05.2021. The Committee after detailed deliberation recommended for grant of permission to conduct the proposed Phase II/III clinical trial to certain conditions.

This move comes in as India recorded 3,62,727 new COVID-19 cases, 3,52,181 discharges, and 4,120 deaths in the last 24 hours, as informed by Union Health Ministry.

The fresh surge has taken the total caseload to 2,37,03,665, while total discharges are at 1,97,34,823 and the overall death toll has reached 2,58,317. Active cases are reported to be 37,10,525.

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Lucknow: As states face an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, the central government on Wednesday (May 12, 2021) approved the proposal of Bharat Biotech to set up a new plant of Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Corporation Limited (BIBCOL) in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr.

As per News18 reports this new PSU will manufacture 2 crore doses of Covaxin every month and the central government will provide Rs 30 crore to BIBCOL for this project.

Notably, BIBCOL in Bulandshahar was established in 1989 and it manufactures oral polio vaccines and other immunisers.

There has been a rampant shortage of vaccines in India, as a result, some states have suspended vaccination drive for people aged between 18-44. The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Wednesday said that the people under the age of 45 won’t get Covaxin shots from Thursday as limited stocks are left for the next four days.

Maharashtra too decided to temporarily suspend its drive to vaccinate people in the age group of 18 to 44 over shortage of jabs, and divert the available stock of doses for the above-45 age group.

Meanwhile, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have submitted to the Centre their production plan for the next four months, informing they can ramp it up to 10 crore and 7.8 crore doses respectively by August, official sources said on Wednesday. The sources said the Union Health Ministry and the office of Drugs Controller General of India had sought from both the firms their production plan for June, July, August and September.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s indigenously developed Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield, being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, are currently being used in India’s inoculation drive against coronavirus.

(With Agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Due to the acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in the country, many states have temporarily suspended the vaccination drive for the people in the age group of 18 to 44 and have directed the available stock of doses for the above-45 age group.

Maharashtra on Wednesday (May 12, 2021) decided to suspend its third phase of vaccination drive, while Delhi also temporarily shut Covaxin administering centres for people in the age group of 18 to 44 years as it has run out of stock.

Global tenders to meet needs

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu government announced global tenders for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, followed by reports of the Rajasthan government mulling over similar steps. 

Other than this states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have already opted for global tenders to meet their needs. Uttarakhand officials said the state will import 20 lakh doses of Sputnik vaccine over the next two months.

Need to ramp up domestic production 

The Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have submitted their production plan for the next four months to the central government. The plan suggests that the pharmaceutical companies can scale it up to 10 crore and 7.8 crore doses respectively by August.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s indigenously developed Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield, being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), are currently being used in India’s inoculation drive against the coronavirus.

Focus more on second dose vaccinations: Harsh Vardhan

While the vaccination drive appeared to be faltering in numerous states, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan urged them to first focus more on second dose COVID-19 vaccinations, stressing on the fact that India is the fastest country globally to reach the landmark of administering 17 crore doses in 114 days.

The minister pointed out that of this, while 13.66 crore people have been administered the first dose, the second dose has been administered to only 3.86 crore.

“Hence, it is very important that we first focus more on second dose vaccinations. States should not lose sight of those who are to get the second dose of the COVID vaccine.

“Seventy percent ought to be allocated to meet the requirement of the second dose, while 30 percent ought to be reserved for the first dose,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.

Insufficient supply of vaccine

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that SII has informed it that it would be able to provide 1.5 crore Covishield vaccines to the state only May 20 onwards.

“There is no sufficient supply of vaccine vials by the Centre for inoculation of above-45 age group people. Hence, the state cabinet decided to divert the stock, purchased for the 18-44 age group, for the above-45 age group. Therefore, we are suspending the inoculation of the 18-44 age group for some period,” Tope said.

On the other hand, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Bharat Biotech has informed the state government that it cannot provide “additional” Covaxin doses to the national capital.

“The Covaxin manufacturer has in a letter said that it cannot provide Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under the instruction of concerned government officials. It means that the central government is controlling the supply of the vaccine,” Sisodia said.

Who is to blame- Centre or states? 

The Joint Secretary in the Union health ministry Lav Agarwal on Tuesday denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by the states.

Bharat Biotech Joint Managing Director Suchitra Ella said the company has already dispatched Covaxin lots to 18 states on May 10 and said it was disheartening to listen to some states complaining about Bharat Biotech’s intentions regarding the supply of COVID vaccine.

“50 of our employees are off work due to covid, yet we continue to work under pandemic lockdowns 24×7 for U,” she said in a tweet.

Demand versus supply- companies unable to meet demand 

The Tamil Nadu government said an allocation of about 13 lakh vaccine doses to the state is not sufficient to cover all those in the 18-45 age group.

Hence, “the government has decided to go in for global bids to procure vaccines,” an official CM office read, however, said it would have been better if the central government had procured the vaccines by floating global tenders and distributing them to states.

The Odisha government informed the Centre that about 22 lakh people in the state are waiting for the second shot and therefore the state requires at least 25 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Kerala also urged the Centre to provide more vaccines. Chief Minister P Vijayan underlined the need for prioritising the vaccination of those in the 18 to 45 age group from the vaccine ordered by the state as there is not enough stock for everyone to be vaccinated in one go.

Blame-game continues over COVID-19

The issue of shortage of vaccines has been used by parties like the Congress, Shiv Sena and the AAP to target the BJP-led central government. They have blamed the current situation on the export of vaccines to other countries early this year.

The ruling BJP, however, accused the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday of spreading misinformation on India’s vaccination programme and said over 84 percent of the vaccine doses sent abroad were part of the commercial and licensing liabilities of the two Indian manufacturers.

Leaders of 12 opposition parties wrote to PM Modi

Meanwhile, leaders of 12 opposition parties wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a free mass vaccination campaign against coronavirus among other steps in the wake of the COVID crisis.

“Procure vaccines centrally from all available sources – global and domestic. Immediately begin a free, universal mass vaccination campaign across the country. Invoke compulsory licensing to expand domestic vaccine production. Spend budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crores for the vaccines,” the leaders said in their letter.

The signatories to the joint letter include Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister and JDS leader H D Deve Gowda and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Others include chief ministers Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena), Mamata Banerjee (TMC), MK Stalin (DMK), and Hemant Soren (JMM).

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry revealed that the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone past 17.70 crore.

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