‘No ban on vaccine exports, but might need to calibrate supply’

NEW DELHI: Following the surge in Covid cases, the government said on Thursday that while India is not banning export of vaccines - unlike many other countries - there may be a need to "calibrate supply schedules from time to time" given India's current manufacturing capacity and requirements of its vaccination programme.
India has so far provided over 60 million doses to over 75 countries including through the Covax international vaccine alliance and its role in fighting the global pandemic has been widely acknowledged by the international community.The initiative has been seen as a useful exercise in vaccine diplomacy. With cases mounting though, the government seems prepared to recalibrate exports.
An official source authorised to speak on the issue said while India remained committed to help the world with vaccines, including through Covax facility, all stakeholders would have to work together to adjust the schedules as required. "Only by such cooperation, we can collectively deal with the ongoing pandemic," he said.
"As soon as purchase orders were placed, we commenced supplies under Covax facility. So far, more than 60 million doses of Made in India vaccines have been supplied to over 75 countries. No other country has supplied as many doses as India has so far," added the source.
Reuters quoted a Unicef official as saying on Thursday that India was likely to delay deliveries of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to the Covax facility for March and April. The government had said earlier that keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks in a phased manner. "This position remains unchanged," said the source.