Sources said that the priority of the government is the vaccination of the people of the country. Vaccine production capacity has increased in the country.
New Delhi| Amid rising Coronavirus cases in the country, the central government has reportedly decided to halt all big vaccine exports. According to news agency Reuters, India will put on hold Oxford-Astrazenca’s Covishield developed in Pune-Based Serum Institute of India. Sources added that the decision has been taken to focus on ramping up the Vaccination in the country.
The decision also comes days after a report claimed that India has exported more vaccines than it has used in the inoculation of its own citizens.
Export only after meeting domestic demand
Those familiar with the development on condition of anonymity said that there is no restriction on the export of the vaccine, but it will be supplied to other countries only after the domestic supply is assessed. The export abroad will also depend on domestic production.
Decision will be taken after review
Sources said that the priority of the government is the vaccination of the people of the country. Vaccine production capacity has increased in the country and two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) have also been approved for emergency use. In such a situation, the government will decide on the vaccine supply outside the country only after a review after two months.
States ask for more vaccines
Recently several states including Rajasthan-Punjab had demanded more number of vaccine doses from the central government. At present, cases are increasing rapidly in many states in the country, thus it is anticipated that the demand for the vaccine may increase further in the coming days.
India sent Coronavirus vaccine to 76 countries
India has so far sent Coronavirus vaccines to 76 countries. It has been given free of cost to many countries, while some countries were charged for it. Nearly 56 lakh vaccines have been given free to neighbouring countries Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles.
The gap between the two doses of Covishield widened
Earlier, on 22 March, the central government issued a new guideline regarding Covishield. Accordingly, the time between two doses of the vaccine has been increased. Earlier the gap between two doses of vaccine was 28 to 42 days. According to the new instructions, now this difference will be 6 to 8 weeks i.e. 42 to 56 days.
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