New Delhi: The 'pharmacy of the world', which was also ridiculed during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic, is back in business and action. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Covid-19 vaccines have been already sent to neighbouring countries Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and also Iran.
This follows the central government decision to resume their supplies. India suspended the exports of Covid-19 vaccines in April to focus on inoculating its own population in the wake of a sudden spike in infections.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently at the UN General Assembly that India will resume supply of coronavirus vaccines. We have decided to start with the neighbourhood,” MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters here.
He said the foreign ministry is “constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation”. “As far as I know, vaccines have already gone to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Iran,' he said.
He said the decision on further supplies will be based on the country’s production and demand.
“We will decide on further supplies based on our production and demand,” he said.
It may be stated that vaccination drives in India have been immensely successful with over 95 crore people already taking the jabs.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had last month announced India will resume export of surplus Covid-19 vaccines in October under the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme.
This is also part of India's commitment to the 'COVAX global pool'.
