The largest producer of vaccines on the planet, India preferred Brazil to supply vaccines against Kovid-19, said the country’s general-general Amit Kumar Mishra in So Paulo. Soon after distributing doses to 9 neighboring countries as a way to protect their borders and expand their presence in Southeast Asia, Indians sent the first batch of 2 million doses produced by the Serum Institute to Brazil, the most Big manufacturers place vaccines in the world.
Despite this, India failed Brazil’s plans by failing to release the dose in advance – the Brazilian government expected to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on the 17th. At the time, the Asian country claimed that India had “logistical problems” for releasing doses for vaccination. Started on 16th. A lot of other negotiations are going on and should come in February.
With the potential to develop 8.2 billion doses of various vaccines a year and account for 60% of world production, India will gradually continue supplying vaccines against Kovid-19 to other countries. “This supply will be calibrated according to domestic needs and international demand and obligations,” said the Indian Consulate, a country of 1.4 billion inhabitants.
Brazil received 2 million doses of India’s vaccine last week. What does this trade partnership mean for bilateral relations?
Brazil is the first country where the Indian government has authorized the export of AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine produced at Serum Institute against coronovirus (after donations to neighboring countries). The priority given to the supply of vaccines to Brazil reflects our strong ties and close cooperation in the field of health. India is with Brazil in the fight against the epidemic of 19 countries. Indian companies are also negotiating with Brazil for additional supplies of vaccines against coronoviruses.
Apart from Brazil and Morocco, with which countries India has already signed agreements? And who are you interacting with?
The Government of India has received several requests from neighboring countries and important partners. The ongoing vaccine supply is part of the “Vaccinometry” initiative (Hindi word meaning friendship), under which more than 5 million doses of the vaccine were provided to aid Buto, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles . Other countries such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Jamaica should also receive vaccines as aid. In addition, 9 million doses of the vaccine have been taken for commercial sale to Brazil, Morocco and Bangladesh. Several countries have approached India to purchase the vaccine. Commercial supplies will be made in the coming days to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
How does India benefit from this ‘vaccine diplomacy’, especially with the focus on donations to neighbors such as Myanmar, Bangladesh and Buto?
The vaccine supply to countries around the world reflects the Indian values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (in Hindi, ‘the world is a family’). It is natural to focus on neighboring countries, our cooperation in the fight against the epidemic (India has borders with Nepal, Buto and Bangladesh).
What is India’s vaccine production capacity today?
India is one of the largest vaccine producers in the world with a 60% share in global production. The World Health Organization provides 70% of essential vaccinations from India. Indian companies supply 1.5 billion doses annually to more than 150 countries. The main Indian vaccine manufacturers have the capacity to produce 8.2 billion doses of various vaccines in a year. The Serum Institute is the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines in doses produced and sold worldwide.
How is the public reaction in India, because the country does not have vaccines for the entire population, but exports are happening?
On 16 January, the Prime Minister launched vaccination against Kovid-19 in India, the largest campaign in the world. Of the 30 million frontline workers employed in the first phase, about 23 million have already been vaccinated. In the next phase, 300 million people will be vaccinated. The Indian government is ensuring that domestic manufacturers will have sufficient stock to meet domestic needs while supplying abroad.
Can covaxin be exported by the end of 2021?
There are six candidate vaccines, including three produced locally, in clinical stages of development. Three others are in a pre-clinical stage of development. On 2 January, two Kovishield vaccines (Oxford-AstraZeneca-Serum Institute) and Kovaxin (from Bharat Biotech International) received authorization for emergency use. Phase 3 (conclusive) trials for covaxin are in progress and should be available for export soon. Bharat Biotech signed a contract with Brazilian company Présis Medimentos to supply 12 million doses of covaxine. Then, we can expect supplies to Brazil and other countries after completion of the necessary clinical trials and regulatory approvals.
Information is from the newspaper s. State of Paulo.
