India to restart vaccine exports, WHO chief scientist applauds decision

New Delhi – India decides to resume vaccine exports, that was halted as corona virus cases surged in the country. Chief scientist of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Soumya Swaminathan on Tuesday applauded the decision. ‘The decision will go long way to achieve global Vaccine Equity.’ she said.

“COVAX welcomes the decision to restart Covid vaccine exports. Will go a long way to achieve global Vaccine Equity,” Soumya Swaminathan said in a tweet.

India to resume Vaccine Maitri – Mandaviya 

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday announced that in the fourth quarter this year, the Government of India will resume Vaccine Maitri, an initiative to provide Covid vaccines to countries around the world and also fulfil its responsibility under Covax.

30 crore doses next month

“Under Vaccine Maitri, we will help the world and contribute to Covax in the fourth quarter,” Mandaviya said to reporters. He also announced that next month government is expecting more than 30 crore doses from vaccine manufacturers.

vaccination of citizens topmost priority

Health Minister estimated the target of the fourth quarter this year to be around 100 crores and highlighted that vaccination of own citizens is the topmost priority.

81.85 crore vaccine doses till now

Meanwhile, with the administration of 96,46,778 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 81.85 crores (81,85,13,827) as per provisional reports till 7 am on Tuesday, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The ministry said that this has been achieved through 80,35,135 sessions.

As per the data, as many as 1,03,69,386 healthcare workers have been inoculated with the first dose of COVID vaccine while 87,50,107 have been inoculated with both doses.

The number of frontline workers vaccinated stands at 1,83,46,016 (first dose) and 1,45,66,593 (two doses).