Date for import of Covid-19 linked supplies extended amid surge in infections

As states are floating global tenders to procure vaccines, the Centre is allowing global tenders to source all sorts of Covid-related medical supplies and vaccines and no limit has been set of these purchases and deals of less than even less than 200 crore has been allowed, according to an NDTV report.

India made several changes to its rules on land border agreement to allow the flow of Covid related items from China during the pandemic but not vaccines developed in China.

Though India invited companies like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna to seek immediate approval for emergency use in India, Chinese vaccines have not been permitted.

The report said that Pfizer has refused to come to India as the government has asked them to supply at $35 per shot and the company is "not willing to pay so much for a government programme", stated the report.

China has also criticised the US delay in medical aid to India and termed India's relationship with the west "superficial and fragile".

The report quoting a source said that India is not currently getting vaccines from any other country and the doses are being bought only from domestic manufacturers.

Vaccines are continued to be procured  and supplied under the 50:50 ratio as decided in the May 1 policy, which includes free of cost vaccination for 45 plus age group.

More vaccines couldn't be procured earlier as very few people were taking the shots despite government appeals to get vaccinated. It was only in April that the demand peaked, he said. Since vaccines have shelf life of only three months, stocking in large quantities would have caused wastage.