India distributes 64 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to 84 nations: Harsh Vardhan

Participating in a panel discussion on vaccine production and distribution across Asia at the ‘World Immunisation and Logistics Summit’, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, 61 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have already been administered in India, while 64 million doses have been distributed to 84 countries through various programs.

According to the health ministry, the virtual conference brought together over 1,000 attendees from around the region and the world to discuss key issues of global supply chains as the world faces the largest and most complex logistical operation in history in an effort to deliver life-saving vaccines worldwide.

The panel discussed how India is ramping up production of Covid-19 vaccines and how the government is collaborating with local and international partners to ensure timely distribution.

Vardhan reminded everyone that India produces 60% of the world’s vaccines, saying, “More than 61 million vaccine doses have already been administered in our country, and 64 million doses have been given to children.”

He highlighted India’s vaccine drive, the development of two vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin), and the priority pyramid of beneficiaries.

Vardhan, the Union Health Minister, stated that half a dozen vaccines are in clinical trials and another dozen are in pre-clinical trials, all of which are being monitored by an expert group for vaccine NEGVAC.

This will strengthen WHO’s efforts to ensure that there is a common platform invalidation, that all manufacturing companies around the world are on the same page, and that all stakeholders are committed to equitable vaccine distribution, according to the minister.

Vardhan recalled the most difficult challenges he faced while implementing the vaccination program.

“Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, we met this challenge head on. We issued an advisory about Covid on January 17, last year, long before it snowballed into the crisis that it is today.

“We also built capacity for testing, ventilators, tracking, surveillance, and a quarantine center, and we emphasized that Covid Appropriate Behaviour is the most effective Covid vaccine.