SII also said that the vaccines were exported earlier in January since a large stockpile of doses were left, and the country's number of Covid cases were at an all-time low.
In affidavits to SC, 9 states have said SII & Bharat Biotech have either expressed inability to supply the stock by May-end or said there will be staggered delivery over the next 2-3 months.
Modi govt Friday said it had told states to prioritise second dose of Covid vaccines over first dose in a 70:30 ratio, in what may be its first admission about shortage of vaccines.
Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka have urged the Modi government to let commercial Covid vaccine shipments go through. Sri Lanka has reached out to China, Russia for vaccine doses.
The announcement came ahead of a virtual summit between PM Boris Johnson & Narendra Modi. SII has also started phase 1 trials of a nasal vaccine against coronavirus in the UK.
Media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for Covid-19 vaccines are 'incorrect and not based on facts', the Union Health Ministry said.
Poonawalla made the announcement soon after he spoke out about pressures he was under over the production of Covid vaccines to meet India's ever-increasing demand amid shortages.
The move comes after many states objected to different pricing of the vaccines, with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal saying this is not time for profiteering.
Pune is home to Serum Institute of India and National Institute of Virology. But it’s second only to Mumbai in the number of Covid infections reported in Maharashtra.
Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.
Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.
21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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