Covid: Government expects supply of 20 crore doses of vaccines in August

NEW DELHI: The health ministry estimates that with all vaccines taken together, the Centre will have nearly 20 crore doses available for August. The government is also hoping that the DNA vaccine the scientists are working on may see the light of the day in the coming months. The government also feels that expansion of manufacturing of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will further bolster vaccine supplies in the months ahead.

Data available with the health ministry show that in August, Serum Institute of India is expected to provide 15 crore doses of Covishield while 3 crore doses of Covaxin are expected. Besides over 1 crore doses of Sputnik are also expected.

Covaxin is emerging as a point of focus for the long term as the government expands its manufacturing capacities. Also the government is awaiting the outcome of the efforts of scientists to make a DNA vaccine. If successful, it is expected to be a game-changer that would put India on the world map as the first country to come out with such a vaccine. Meanwhile, India’s cumulative Covid vaccination coverage crossed over 53 crore doses on Friday.