Moderna's single dose Covid19 vaccine by 2022 in India

The company is in talks with Cipla and other Indian companies to launch its single-dose vaccine in India, media reports added.

Meanwhile, Cipla has expressed interest in launching the 5 crore vaccine doses, which Moderna said it can offer India in 2022 and sought confirmation from the Central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime, said media reports.

Two rounds of high level meetings were chaired by the Cabinet Secretary on vaccine availability in the domestic and global markets to address the urgent need to procure vaccine doses as the coronavirus infection continues to spread and the gap between the demand and supply of shots widens.

The meeting, which had officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry, discussed Moderna's single dose offer and possible agreements with Cipla and other companies in India for the launch.

The Health Ministry has been asked to look into Cipla's request in connection with support required for them for sourcing the Moderna vaccines.

Meanwhile, another US drug major Pfizer has offered 5 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses to India albeit with pre-conditions including significant regulatory relaxations in India including indemnification, according to the media reports.

The development comes at a time when external affairs minister S Jaishankar is in the United States of America for a five-day tour to the United States and negotiations for a vaccine deal for India and the neighbouring countries are expected.

Indian government had refused to provide Pfizer legal protection from any adverse effects that may follow after the use of its jabs and requirement for local safety trials.

Since the Centre is now mulling to enlist all COVID-19 jabs approved in the UK, USA, Japan and by the WHO for a fast-track approval, Pfizer could find entry in India, which is one of the biggest markets in the world.