Vaccine: Britain wanted to export 50 million doses of Covishield Serum Institute, government bans

The 5 million doses of Covishield being sent to Britain will now be used to vaccinate people between 18 and 44 years of age in India. The central government turned down the Serum Institute of India's (SII) demand to export 5 million doses to Britain despite international pressure and several rounds of negotiations. The central government has taken this decision because of the lack of vaccines in the country.

Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government, and Regulatory Affairs, Serum Institute, wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health seeking permission in this regard, which was rejected by the Central Government. The central government has decided to allot these doses to 21 states and union territories.

The Serum Institute sought permission from the Center on 23 March to send 50 million doses to Britain under an agreement with AstraZeneca. It said that this would not allow the ongoing vaccination in India to be affected. However, considering the shortage of vaccines in the country, the central government turned down the demand for SII. Now, these 50 lakh doses of coviciled vaccine are available for people between 18-44 years of age in the country.

Official sources said that these vaccines will be used in India because of the fast-growing cases. The ministry has asked the states to contact the company and buy the vaccine. Because of the state of infection, out of these 50 lakh doses, some states have been allocated three and a half lakh, someone lakh and others have been allocated 50 thousand doses.

Labels may need to be changed

Sources said the label of the vaccine may have to be changed as the vaccine was packaged for supply in the UK. Therefore a different label was pasted on the vials, but now they have to be given in the local market, so they need a new label.