Question : Vaccine Availability

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to complete the exercise of full Covid-19 vaccination of all adults by the end of 2021, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the projected estimate for COVID- 19 vaccine availability from August- December, 2021, month-wise;

(c) the details of projected production capacity of domestic vaccine manufacturers and vaccines proposed to be imported for complete adult vaccination, monthwise;

(d) whether the Government has taken note of a significant delay in entering into advance purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers thereby adversely affecting the pace of vaccine rollout;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the quantum of funds spent so fare on the vaccination programme?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a): The COVID-19 vaccination is an ongoing and dynamic process, which is being guided by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) on the basis of concurrent scientific evidence. In view of the dynamic and evolving nature of COVID-19 pandemic it is expected that beneficiaries aged 18 years and above will be vaccinated by December 2021

(b) & (c): Between August 2021 to December 2021, a total of 135 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be available.

(d) & (e): There has been no delay in entering into purchase agreements with the domestic vaccine manufacturers. Advance payments have also been made to manufacturers for the supply orders placed with them.

(f): A total of INR 9725.15 crore have been spent so far on the COVID-19 vaccination programme including procurement of vaccines and operational cost for vaccination.