India Ramps Up COVID-19 Vaccine Purchases

India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today announced 'as of May 2, 2021, the Government of India had provided more than 16.54 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to States/UTs Free of Cost.

And more than 78 lakh doses remain available with the States/UTs to be administered.

Furthermore, 56 Lakh vaccine doses will be received by the States/UTs in the next 3 days.

In the future, under the Liberalised Pricing & Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, the Govt of India will continue to procure its share of 50% of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory cleared vaccines. These COVID-19 vaccines would continue to be available to the State Govts totally free of cost, as was being done earlier.

The Ministry clarified that 100% advance of Rs. 1732.50 cr (after TDS Rs. 1699.50 cr) was released to Serum Institute of India on 28.04.2021 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June, and July and was received by them on 28.04.2021. As of date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till 03.05.2021.

Additionally, 100% advance of Rs. 787.50 cr (after TDS Rs. 772.50 cr) was released on 28.04.2021 to Bharat Biotech India Ltd for 05 crore Covaxin vaccine doses during May, June, and July and was received by them on 28.04.2021. As of date, against the last order of 02 crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till 03.05.2021.