Health Ministry thrashes reports about 'missing' COVAXIN doses
What's the story
The Health Ministry has slammed news about unaccounted COVAXIN doses as "unfound media reports" adding that these reports are incorrect and not supported by full information on the matter.
"The claims of Bharat Biotech having six crore doses is an error of comprehension among some quarters reporting the said matter," the ministry stated.
It further informed that the vaccines' monthly production will be increased.
COVAXIN
Six-seven crore doses/month will be produced in July-August
The production capacity of COVAXIN will be doubled by May-June and then increased nearly six-sevenfold by July-August 2021, i.e. increasing the production from one crore vaccine doses in April to 6-7 crore vaccine doses/month in July- August, the ministry said.
"It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021," the statement said.
Information
Government wants to accelerate development and production of indigenous jabs
This capacity augmentation of COVAXIN carried out under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 Mission COVID-19 Suraksha was announced by the Government of India and implemented by the Department of Biotechnology to accelerate the development and production of indigenous jabs.
Manufacturing
However, increase in gross production doesn't translate to immediate supply
"The vaccine being a biological product of medical importance takes time for harvesting and quality testing," the ministry said.
"This cannot be done overnight to ensure a safe product. Thus increase in the capacity of manufacturing too needs to be a guided process and an increase in gross production does not translate to immediate supply," it highlighted.
Doses
Here is a breakdown of the doses supplied to government
According to data compiled on May 28 morning, Bharat Biotech has supplied 2,76,66,860 vaccine doses to the Government of India. Out of these, 2,20,89,880 doses, including wastage, have been consumed by the states and union territories.
"With this, the balance available doses of vaccines with the states and UTs are 55,76,980 doses," the statement further said.
Vaccine
Here is how the figures for private hospitals read
Private hospitals have also received 13,65,760 COVAXIN doses in the same month over and above what has been supplied to the Indian government and the states.
"In May, an additional 21,54,440 COVAXIN doses are to be supplied. This takes the total vaccine supplied and in pipeline till date to 3,11,87,060 doses. Almost 90,00,000 doses are committed for June by the manufacturer," the statement stated.