Reports Alleging No Fresh Order Has Been Placed For Covid-19 Vaccines Are ‘Incorrect’: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry reacted to news reports suggesting that the last order placed with the two vaccine makers was in March 2021, clarified that 100% advance of Rs. 1732.50 crore was released to the SII on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July, and was received by them on the same day.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Monday said some media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for Covid-19 vaccines are completely incorrect and not based on facts.

The Union Health Ministry, which reacted to news reports suggesting that the last order placed with the two vaccine makers (100 million doses with SII and 20 million doses with Bharat Biotech) was in March 2021, clarified that 100% advance of Rs. 1732.50 crore (after TDS Rs. 1699.50 crore) was released to the Serum Institute of India (SII) on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July, and was received by them on the same day.

As on date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry added.

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The Union Health Ministry said additionally, 100% advance of Rs. 787.50 crore (after TDS Rs. 772.50 crore) was released on April 28 to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) for five crore Covaxin doses during May, June and July, and was received by them on the same day.

As on date against the last order of two crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry said, adding hence to say that fresh orders have not been placed by the government is not correct.

The Union Health Ministry said the government has as of May 2 provided more 16.54 crore vaccine doses to the states and Union Territories free of cost.

“More than 78 lakh doses are still available with the states/UTs to be administered. More than 56 lakh doses in addition will be received by the states/UTs in the next three days,” the ministry added.

The Union Health Ministry further said the Centre would under the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy continue to procure its share of 50% of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccines and would continue to make it available to the state governments totally free of cost as was being done earlier.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) endorsed the government’s statement and authenticity of the information.

“We endorse this statement, & the authenticity of the information. We have been working closely with the Government of India for the past year & thank it for its support. We remain committed to ramping up our vaccine production to save every life we can. https://bit.ly/3nHIzoh,” the SII posted on its official Twitter handle.