India set to supply Covid-19 Vaccines to African Nations

As per government sources, India will soon supply Covid-19 vaccines to African countries, amidst Omicron variant scare across the globe. The central government is planning to export a significant number of Covid-19 vaccines to Africa. If sources are to be believed, the government is in talks with indigenous vaccine manufacturers regarding vaccine supplies to Africa.

The ministry of external affairs had tweeted on Tuesday, “India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing with the Omnicron Variant, including by supplies of Made-in-India vaccines. Supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally." The move has come after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced to supply another 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to African countries. 

As per the data, South Africa has detected the new strain B.1.1.529 or omicron. The country is only 25 per cent vaccinated against Covid-19. Only 7 per cent of Africa is inoculated, and there are a few countries in the continent where not even 5 per cent of the population has received a Covid-19 vaccine.

Bharat Biotech will export 108 lakh doses of Covaxin commercially, as per sources. The vaccine will be exported to eight countries — Paraguay, Botswana, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Cameroon and United Arab Emirates.

Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), too, was allowed to export 5 million doses of Covishield to the WHO-led vaccine initiative Covax, including to African countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho.