New Delhi: On Saturday, January 16th 2021, India began the largest vaccination drive, in which the highest number of people were vaccinated as compared to any other country. The two formally approved vaccines – Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield. Before the vaccines were rolled out India struck deals with other countries export vaccines to them. Many countries have requested India either on a government-to-government (G2G) basis or by directly placing orders with the vaccine developers who are manufacturing the doses in India.
According to a Business Standard report, India plans to offer 20 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to its neighbours as it draws up a policy to supply vials to countries across the globe.
The vaccines are set to be routed by authorised vaccine suppliers to:
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Afghanistan
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
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The Business Standard report also suggests that sources told them some of these supplies may be free and treated as aid which will be shipped somewhere in the next two weeks. The government will then offer the vaccines to a number of countries in Latin America, Africa and the former Soviet Republics
Brazil and South Africa have sought vaccines from India on an urgent basis. According to Times Now report, Brazil is sending an aircraft to India after Modi agreed to expedite vaccine shipments, according to the nation’s Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello. The SII (the Serum Institute of India) will supply 2 million vaccines to the South American nation.