India in talks with Pfizer, J&J, Moderna, locally manufacture Covid-19 vaccines
By Sanjay Maurya
News Highlights
- Union government is in discussion with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna to local manufacturing of their vaccines in India.
- Last week, External Affairs Minister visited Washington DC, met with top officials from the Biden administration to discuss vaccine supplies from the US to India.
- According to government data, India has recorded 2.85 crore Covid cases, with 1.32 lakh new cases.
India in talks with Pfizer, J&J, Moderna, locally manufacture Covid-19 vaccines
Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, “We are in conversations with major vaccine makers such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna company regarding sourcing and possibly local production of their vaccines in India, referring to the role played by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in assisting the government’s response to the pandemic. “We also helped in the rapid introduction of Sputnik-V vaccinations (from Russia)”.
Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Washington DC, where he met with top officials from the Biden administration to discuss vaccine supplies from the US to India, as well as the need of ensuring an ongoing supply of raw materials needed to make the vaccines.
“India is engaging with several other nations in the WTO on a targeted and temporary waiver under TRIPS to guarantee timely and safe access to vaccinations for everybody,” according to Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Participating in the process of building global capacity to fight the battle against COVID-19 and reiterating India’s stand on the major problems the virus has created, he also said, ” We are also anticipating WHO clearance of India’s indigenous vaccine, produced by Bharat Biotech,” he said.
Covaxin from Bharat Biotech, Covishield from the Serum Institute of India, and Sputnik V from Russia have all received clearance in the country so far. Last month, India got the first batches of Suptink V vaccines, which would be manufacture within the country.
“Every crisis is empirically speaking followed by growth. As the epidemic fades, the same thing will happen. We will actively engage in the worldwide regeneration process by building newer and more robust supply chains, focusing on emerging technologies and knowledge-driven possibilities, and using India’s strengths and skills “Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.
Today Covid-19 cases in India
According to government data, India has recorded 2.85 crore Covid-19 cases, with 1.32 lakh new cases. This is the 11th day in a row that the country has seen a positive rate below 10% as it recovers from the deadly second wave.