Reports Of Centre Not Placing Any Fresh Order For COVID-19 Vaccine: Union Ministry Of Health

New Delhi, May 3 (TNA) The union health ministry has trashed reports that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for COVID19 vaccines. Terming thes reports are incorrect, the ministry clarified that 100% advance of Rs 1732.50 crores (after TDS Rs 1699.50 crores) was released to Serum Institute of India on April 28.

This was for 11 crore doses of Covishield during May, June & July. Against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry further said.

Additionally, 100% advance of Rs. 787.50 crores was released to Bharat Biotech for 5 crore Covaxin doses during May, June & July, an official informed while adding that it was received by them on April 28, 2021.

As on date against the last order of two crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3.Hence to say that fresh orders have not been placed by Government of India is not correct, the ministry underlined.

More than 78 lakh doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered. More than 56 Lakh doses in addition will be received by the States/UTs in the next 3 days.

Under the liberalised pricing & accelerated national COVID-19 vaccination strategy, Govt of India would continue to procure its share of 50% of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccines & would continue to make it available to the State Govts totally free of cost as was being done earlier, the ministry further informed.