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COVID-19 vaccines

India's Vaccine Shortage to Last for Months: Serum Institute Head Warns

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The head of India's Serum Institute, the world's biggest vaccine manufacturer, has warned that the country's severe vaccine shortage will continue until July, when production is expected to rise from about 60m-70m doses a month to 100m. The shortage has been exacerbated by the government's failure to prepare for a devastating second Covid-19 wave, which has left many cities and states under lockdown. India has vaccinated less than 2 per cent of its population, with many states running out of jabs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The head of India's Serum Institute, Adar Poonawalla, has warned that the country's vaccine shortage will last for months, with production expected to reach 100m doses a month by July.
  • The government's failure to prepare for a second wave of Covid-19 has led to a severe vaccine shortfall, with many states running out of jabs.
  • India has vaccinated less than 2 per cent of its population, with the majority of the doses supplied by the Serum Institute.
  • The government's decision to push ahead with an aggressive regional election campaign despite warnings has been widely criticized.
  • The Serum Institute has been accused of charging high prices for vaccines, but Poonawalla has pointed out that the company was responsible for policy decisions.
  • The company has lowered prices following criticism and has denied being responsible for the vaccine shortages.
  • The country's drug regulator gave emergency approval to Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in April in an attempt to secure more shots from overseas.
  • BJP suffered a setback in the regional election in West Bengal, amid growing anger over the government's handling of the pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 60m-70m: The number of vaccine doses produced by the Serum Institute per month before the production increase in July.
  • 100m: The number of vaccine doses expected to be produced by the Serum Institute per month in July.
  • 2 per cent: The percentage of India's population that has been vaccinated so far.
  • 21m: The number of vaccines ordered by New Delhi from the Serum Institute in February.
  • 110m: The number of vaccines ordered by New Delhi from the Serum Institute in March.
  • 400,000: The number of new Covid-19 cases reported in India yesterday, setting a new record.

Sources:

  • Adar Poonawalla, "A shortage of jabs will last for months after Narendra Modi's government failed to prepare for a devastating second Covid-19 wave," Financial Times.
  • India's drug regulator, Emergency approval given to Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, April.

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