Centre says over two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to be available between August and December 2021

Dr V K Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog said that by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be three billion

The Centre has said that over two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be made available in India between August and December, enough to vaccinate the entire population.

It also said that the Russian anti-COVID vaccine Sputnik V is likely to be available by next week.

“Two billion doses (216 crores) will be made in the country in five months for India for the people of India. Vaccines will be available for all as we move forward,” V K Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog, said, adding by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be three billion.

He estimated that between August to December, production of 75 crore doses of Covishield is estimated, while 55 cores doses of COVAXIN will be made available.

Further, Biological E is expected to produce 30 crore doses, Zydus Cadila five crore, Serum Institute of India 20 crore doses of Novavax and Bharat Biotech 10 crore doses of its nasal vaccine, while Gennova will make available six crore doses and Sputnik V 15.6 crore doses.

(Edited by EH Bureau)