The country had started the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 with two vaccines -- Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited).
Covaxin coronavirus vaccine | File Pic
An additional 60 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses will be received by the states/union territories in the next three days, the central government informed on Monday. In a media release, the health ministry said the government of India has so far provided nearly 16.54 crore vaccine doses (16,54,93,410) to states/union territories free of cost.
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As per a Business Standard report, the Centre had not placed orders for fresh stock of vaccines with Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech even after several vaccination centres running out of stock and Phase 3 of the vaccination drive which allows inoculation of everyone above 18 years being open. The last order placed was in March.
However, the Health Ministry has refuted the claims and has revealed that 100 per cent advance was released to Serum Institute of India on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield during May, June & July.
It is clarified that 100% advance of Rs 1732.50 crores (after TDS Rs 1699.50 crores) was released to Serum Institute of India on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield during May, June & July: Union Health Ministry
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2021
Against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3. Additionally, 100% advance of Rs. 787.50 crores was released to Bharat Biotech for 5 crore Covaxin doses during May, June & July: Health Ministry
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2021
Endorsing the Centre's statement the Serum Institute of India said "We have also got 100% advace of Rs 1732.50 crore by GoI for the next tranche of 11 crore doses in the next few months."
It is to be noted, that the Phase 3 of the nationwide vaccination drive was kick started on May 1.
Amongst multiple reports it is important that correct information be shared with the public. pic.twitter.com/nzyOZwVBxH
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) May 3, 2021
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 15,79,21,537 doses (as per data available at 8 am on Monday). "More than 75 lakh COVID vaccine doses (75,71,873) are still available with the states/union territories to be administered. Furthermore, more than 59 lakh (59,70,670) vaccine doses will be received in addition by the states/union territories within the next three days," the release stated.
The Centre on April 19 had announced a ''liberalised'' policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. It has also allowed state governments and private hospitals to purchase vaccines from manufacturers. Per the revised rules, the centre will receive 50 per cent of the vaccines supplied; states and private hospitals will get the remaining doses.
Govt should stop saying how much O2 is available but tell us how much has been supplied and to which hospital. As far back as October 2020, the Standing Committee of Parliament for Health had warned of the acute shortage in O2 cylinders in output & supply. Govt did not bother.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 3, 2021
The country had started the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 with two vaccines -- Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited). The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive to inoculate people above 60 years and those over 45 with comorbidities against the coronavirus began on March 1. The third phase began on April 1 for all above 45 years of age.
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