India to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 6 countries

NEW DELHI: First supplies of vaccines to fight the COVID-19 virus from India, under grant assistance, will be sent to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday, January 20.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is deeply honoured to be a long-reliable partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community and that delivery of stock of injections to many countries will begin on Wednesday, January 20, and more will follow in the days to come.

India, one of the world’s largest drug makers, has been approached by an increasing number of countries for procuring the COVID-19 vaccines. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, said in a statement that our country has received several requests for the supply of India-manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries.

The statement said that in response to requests from the countries, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and supply capacity to assist all humanity combat the COVID-19 pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from Wednesday, January 20. It added that in respect to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius, they are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.

India has rolled out a massive coronavirus vaccination drive under which two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, are being given to frontline health workers across India. MEA said that it has ensured that domestic manufactures will have enough stocks to meet the domestic requirements while supplying abroad. The MEA added that India has also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities, under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials programme.