Question : New Delta Variant of Covid in India

(a) whether the Government is aware that amid the third Covid wave scare, as many as 17 cases of the Delta variant AY.4.2 strain, which is spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom, has emerged in India, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government is also aware that Bio tech Lab namely HLL Biotech Limited Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC) a public sector vaccine manufacturing plant in Chengalpattu, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu is lying idle for a long period, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is also aware that the IVC has the capacity to produce one billion vaccines annually, and can cater to Tamil Nadu as well as the rest of the country, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the reasons for non-utilization/ operationalisation of IVC for production of COVID-19 Vaccines?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
(DR BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d) There are 18 cases of AY.4.2 that have been detected in India. Such mutated variants of virus are likely to evolve as like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 also evolves over time. Of the 18 cases of AY.4.2 detected so far in the country (as on 3rd December 2021), ten cases are from Gujarat, four cases are from Tamil Nadu, two are from Assam, and one (each) from Maharashtra and Telangana.

Ministry of Health, Government of lndia has proactively explored various possibilities to operationalize the IVC Facility including HLL publishing a tender on Central Public Procurement Portal inviting bids for selection of IVC Facility User on as is where is basis through competitive bidding.