India is considering continuing the export of the Covid-19 vaccine immediately, especially to Africa, because some have been immunized by most adults and their supplies have surged, the source of knowledge about the issue to Reuters.
India, the largest vaccine maker in the world as a whole, stopped the exports of vaccines in April to focus on analyzing its own population when infection exploded.
The government wants to vaccinate all 944 million adults in December and so far given at least one dose to 61% of them.
The resumption of export deliberations over the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington next week where the vaccine tends to be discussed at the top of the leaders of quad countries – the United States, India, Japan and Australia.
“Export decision is an agreement made,” said the source, who refused to be called as he was not authorized to talk to the media about this issue.
“India wants to help Africa with both covid vaccines and operational models.” The Ministry of India’s external affairs, one senior official who met with the head of the World Health Organization on Monday, did not immediately respond to a comment request.
The ministry coordinates the export of Indian vaccines.
WHO said on Tuesday in a constant dialogue with Indian officials to continue the supply to the Global Covax Vizine sharing platform.
“We have assured that the supply will restart this year,” said Senior Bruce Bruce Aylward in the briefing.
“We hope we can get a guarantee, it can start faster than the end of this year, and in the coming weeks.” Before India stopped exports, it was donated or sold 66 million doses to nearly 100 countries.
Indian inoculation itself has jumped since last month, especially as the largest vaccine maker in the world, Indian Serum Institute, has more than double the output of Astrazeneca’s shot to 150 million doses a month from the April level.
The government’s source told Reuters in June that the US experience showed that vaccination tended to slow down after most people got their shots.
It might give India the opportunity to export excess output, the source said.
The African United States on Tuesday accused the producer of denying them a fair opportunity to buy vaccines, and urge manufacturing countries – especially India – to raise export restrictions.
Of the 5.7 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines are given throughout the world, only 2% have been in Africa