(a) whether the Government is considering to expand the ongoing ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the criteria to decide dispatch of vaccines to other countries; and
(c) the country-wise details of number of vaccines shipped from India to various countries under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) & (b) India started external supplies of Made in India vaccines on 20 January 2021. Supplies are being undertaken in three ways- grant, commercial sales by the manufacturers and through the GAVI’s COVAX facility. External supplies are done factoring in domestic production, requirements of the National Vaccination programme and requests for the Made in India vaccines. The supplies will continue in weeks and months ahead, in a phased manner, depending on production and needs of the national vaccination programme.
(c) Country-wise details of vaccines shipped from India till 4 March 2021 are placed at Annexure I.